Louisiana Purchase Research Paper

The Louisiana Purchase began the westward expansion of the United States in the 1840s. Settlers began moving themselves into the new land, exploring and finding out the benefits and costs of living in a previoulsy uninhabited area. A family of five people followed the trend, moving to a section of land near some of their family. The mother, father, and three sons had been on their journey for weeks. The mother tended to her husband, who had broken his leg not too long ago by tripping over some rocks and falling into a ditch. The youngest son, only just leaving childhood, reined the horse, guiding it in the general direction of west, while the other two young men kept an eye out for any danger ahead or behind them. The youngest suddenly began

While they could see the shapes of houses and people, they were distant shapes, and the sun had just fully entered the sky. The father proposed the two oldest sons trying to pull the cart, with only him inside, while the mother kept watch. So the sons readied themselves to lift the wagon, only to find that, while they could move it, it was a slow and painful task. Their next thought was to have the youngest son assist them, as he may have enough strength to ease some of the burden from his stronger brothers. Again, the boys tried to lift the wagon, only to find that they could only drag it slightly farther before needing rest. The only other idea that anyone of them thought of was to have the mother lift and drag as well, hopefully giving the support needed to keep the wagon moving at the cost of vulnerability. One final time, the four family members heaved the wagon up, only to find themselves completely worn out after a few minutes of walking. Sitting under the sun, its heat boiling their skin, the family finally decided to rest for a while before sending two of the boys to their destination, in hopes of borrowing a horse or mule to finish off their