"An Ardent Military Spirit": William C. C. Claiborne and the Creation of the Orleans Territorial Militia, 1803-1805

In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the territory of the fledgling United States. Taking control of and defending the new territory, especially the culturally heterogeneous city of New Orleans occupied much of the administration's time. Most of the burden for establishing the defense policy rested on William C. C. Claiborne, a staunch Jeffersonian, former member of Congress from Tennessee, and previous governor of the Mississippi Territory. By working with local business leaders with a stake in American success, observing the local customs and traditions, and gradually encouraging political participation, Claiborne successfully introduced the American militia system to a culture far different from that of his native Virginia. Claiborne's policies reduced the likelihood that local dissidents and foreign powers such as Spain and Great Britain could conspire to subvert American government in Louisiana by rebellion and invasion.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Stolz, Joseph F., III

Contributors dc:contributor

• Millett, Allan R.
• Billings, Warren M.
• Mitchell, Mary N.

• William C. C. Claiborne Orleans Territory Louisiana Purchase Militia

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/944

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1925