Changes

France had surrendered its North American possessions at the end of the [[French and Indian War]] to [[Spain]] in 1762. [[Napoleon]], who took power in 1799, aimed to restore France's presence on the continent and had an elaborate plan with the King of Spain to claim the lands.  Jefferson and Secretary of State  [[James Madison]] worked to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, but some factions in the West and the opposition Federalist Party called for war and advocated secession by the western territories in order to seize control of the lower Mississippi and New Orleans.<ref>[http://www.monticello.org/jefferson/lewisandclark/louisiana.html Jefferson's Big Deal]</Ref>

France had surrendered its North American possessions at the end of the [[French and Indian War]] to [[Spain]] in 1762. [[Napoleon]], who took power in 1799, aimed to restore France's presence on the continent and had an elaborate plan with the King of Spain to claim the lands.  Jefferson and Secretary of State  [[James Madison]] worked to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, but some factions in the West and the opposition Federalist Party called for war and advocated secession by the western territories in order to seize control of the lower Mississippi and New Orleans.<ref>[http://www.monticello.org/jefferson/lewisandclark/louisiana.html Jefferson's Big Deal]</Ref>

Napoleon's plans to re-establish France in the New World did not last as a new war with Britain seemed inevitable.  France could not afford to send forces to occupy the entire Mississippi Valley, and so they agreed to sell to the United States.

Napoleon's plans to re-establish France in the North America did not last as a new war with Britain seemed inevitable by 1803 (and indeed would begin in 1805).  France could not afford to send forces to occupy the entire Mississippi Valley, and so they agreed to sell to the United States.

It was explored from 1804 to 1806 by [[Lewis and Clark]].

It was explored from 1804 to 1806 by [[Lewis and Clark]].