Two hundred years ago this month, Spanish, French, and American representatives gathered in St. Louis to participate in a ceremony officially turning the territory of Louisiana over to American control. This Three Flags Ceremony was the culmination of the intriguing and difficult negotiations that resulted in the Louisiana Purchase. As St. Louis hosts the Bicentennial Signature Event commemorating the Three Flags Ceremony, this videoconference focuses on the Louisiana Purchase, which made it all possible. Join us in the National Park Service Corps II's Tent of Many Voices, to learn how the purchase was negotiated, who was involved, why they did it, and the incredible impact on the people living in the land, the territory itself, and the course of American history. Students interact with John Kukla, author of A Wilderness So Immense: The Louisiana Purchase and the Destiny of America, and also present information they have learned about the historic event in their own research.
Contents of the Broadcast:
1. Opening to 6:36--Introduction, welcome, orientation to the day's topic, introduction of Mr. Kukla and some questions with him about why he chose to write about the Louisiana Purchase and why he titled the book as he did.
2. 6:36 to 15:15--This section explores the first of our "big questions" for the program: What was the geography of the territory in the Purchase? In addition to expertise provided by Mr Kukla and Scott Mandrell of the Discovery Expedition, we learn from a student group at St. Clement of Rome Elemetary School in Des Peres, Missouri through their presentation on the territory's geography. Questions from our student audience groups are also included.
3. 15:15 to 32:37--This section focuses on our second big question for the conference: Why were the French interested in selling the territory? 9th grade French students from Lanesville Community Schools in Lanesville, Indiana share their research into this question and answer questions from all our student groups. Additional expertise is provided by Mr. Kukla and Mr. Mandrell, who also answer student questions.
4. 32:37 to 45:48--For our third segment we look at the question: Who negotiated the treaty, and how did those negotiations occur? Middle school students from Millstadt, Illinois present from the Tent of Many Voices on this topic and answer questions from our students groups. Mr. Kulka and Mr. Mandrell also offer their expertise.
5. 45:48 to 1:01:00--We are joined by Leonard Maker, member of the Osage Tribe as we explore our fourth question: Who were the native people living in the land of the Purchase and how were they affected by the Purchase? Mr. Maker speaks about the effects on the Osage Nation and answers additional questions from our audience as do Mr. Kukla and Mr. Mandrell.
6. 1:01:00 to End--Summary of questions covered in the conference, closing comments, thanks, and goodbye.
