The lewis and clark expedition from august 31, 1803, to september 25, 1806, also known as the corps of discovery expedition, was the first expedition to cross. Explore the vast land recently purchased through the louisiana purchase. Thomas jefferson history memorialized in national parks. A total white fur trade population of 1,090 men, 368 women and 569 children. May 27, 2011 the lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to. William clark, to explore the louisiana purchase and the pacific northwest. Long known simply as crooked creek, the name lewis and clark gave it was officially restored during the bicentennial. Lewis and clark expedition, also known as the corps of discovery expedition, was the first american overland exploration of the american west and pacific northwest, departing in may, 1804 from st. Lewis and clark expedition, the encyclopedia virginia. A highly readable account of the quintessentially american adventure of discovery and hardship as meriwether lewis and william clark led their men on an exploration of the interior parts of north america. This new species was collected by lewis on the return trip in 1806 and named for him by pursh. After 1814, however, the british reasserted themselves in the regionprimarily through the. Bprepare maps and secretly establish forts in preparation for an american invasion of mexico. Sacagawea of the lewis and clark expedition by ella e.
In it, they chronicled 108 plant species and 68 mineral types. When trappers and fur traders referred to the upper missouri as beaver country, they were actually admitting to a physical, biological, hydrological, and geographic reality that bonded mountain to plain, sky to water, and cottonwoodwillow bottomlands to beaver. Lewis and clark expedition explored overland from st. And it also met the other various goals, especially by increasing scientific knowledge and providing more reliable maps. Some of the writingest parts of meriwether lewis and william clark s journals are about walking.
Louis on the mississippi river, making their way westward through the continental divide to the pacific coast and ending in september 1806. The official publication of the lewis and clark trail. History of the lewis and clark expedition thoughtco. Primary documents in american history library of congress. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to report on the physical features and the plant and animal life of the louisiana territory, in which jefferson took a great scientific interest. The expedition was a major chapter in the history of american exploration. Louis, the stockholders in the missouri company prepared, for launching in august 1795, what was to be the culminating thrust of their westward drive. Led by captain meriwether lewis and second lieutenant william clark, the lewis and clark expedition mapped the newly acquired louisiana territory. Therefore, according to the journal of patrick gass, four of our people were dispatched to. Lewis, in turn, recruited his former commanding officer, william clark, to cocaptain the expedition. Conclusion the adventures of the lewis and clark expedition. The desert dispatch final edition april 2011 its not the destination its the journey as you know, a motion to dissolve the grand canyon chapter of the lewis and clark trail heritage foundation was voted on by members at. They had made their nation proud by sticking with the expedition and coming through to find a route of passage to the west. Report on the physical features and plant and animal life of the louisiana territory.
In contemplating the opportunity to purchase louisiana, jefferson. Patrick gass was the first to publish a journal of the lewis and clark expedition in the year following its return. While the trail is primarily dedicated to meriwether lewis and william clark. Traveling by land across the northern plains, rockies, and columbia basin, lewis and clark staked an ever stronger american claim to the pacific northwest. Jefferson dispatched the lewis and clark expedition, which traveled from. Lewis and clark expedition headwaters of the missouri river, detail from lewis and clark expedition map by william clark and meriwether lewis, 180406.
It began in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, made its way westward, and passed through the continental divide of the americas to reach the pacific coast. A map of lewis and clarks track the lewis and clark expedition. August 11, 1805 journals of the lewis and clark expedition. Historian bernard devoto stated, the dispatch of the lewis and clark expedition was an act of imperial policy. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to report on the physical features and the plant and animal life of the louisiana territory, in which jefferson took great scientific interest with linen and woolen cloth in short supply during the war years, patriot women responded by. He served in the war of 1812, wanted to enlist to fight in the civil war, and died in west virginia in 1870 at age 98 when he was the oldest surviving member of the corps of discovery. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to establish trade with indian tribes. Monuments honor them, hundreds of books have been written about them, and a formal organization, the lewis and clark trail association, is devoted to studying them. Impact of the louisiana purchase and the lewis and clark. Lewis also realized that by carefully choosing the noncommissioned officers he recruited, he would be well served as uncertainty loomed and weather conditions grew harsher during the westward trek. During this time, lewis and clark wrote their first report to president jefferson. President jeffersons choice to lead an expedition was captain meriwether lewis, his former secretary. Lewis also encouraged the arikaras to make peace with their chief enemies, the neighboring mandans, and the tribal chiefs consented to his suggestion.
This imperialism was directed at the indians who inhabited the pacific northwest and the louisiana territory. Thomas jefferson papers, 1606 to 1827 the complete thomas jefferson papers from the manuscript division at the library of congress consists of approximately 27,000 documents. One of the primary objectives of the expedition was to find a water route to the pacific through the northwest. Indians generally accepted their explanation that they were interested only in trade, not additional territory. Lewis and clark s mission was completed successfully, partially because. The expedition was primarily concerned with indian affairs. Why were lewis and clark primarily dispatched on their. O n 19 may 1805 the expedition camped on the east side of the neck, or gouge, in the missouri river where musselshell river joins it, just out of the photo at left. This imperialism was directed at the indians who inhabited the pacific northwest. Lewis efforts to identify and empower proven leaders to assist him was not limited to asking clark to join as the expedition s cocommander. The lewis and clark expedition is one that will be told to generations forever.
This is the biography of the young native american woman who accompanied the lewis and clark expedition over the rockies with her child and halfbreed husband, signifying to the tribes whose territories were crossed that it was not a raiding or war party. Lewis was dispatched to philadelphia for instruction in botany, celestial. Patrick gass recorded that the indians appeared well pleased with the change of government. A week later the party pitched camp at a spot that yielded 318 fish.
The group, after walking the shoreline 19 miles by clarks calculations, reached the uplands of cape disappointment, where clark reported finding capt lewis name on a tree. Library of congress, geography and map division, washington, d. The first portion of the expedition followed the route of the missouri river during which, they passed through places such as presentday kansas city, missouri, and. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to. On their 2year, 8,000mile expedition, meriwether lewis and william clark drew maps of the wilderness, made contact with native americans, studied plants, animals, and minerals, and charted a. Oct 21, 2007 the lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to tablish an effective claim to the louisiana territory, which jefferson thought to be insecure until americans explored the region. The recently concluded bicentennial of the lewis and clark expedition was hard to ignore. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to a establish an effective claim to the louisiana territory, which jefferson thought to be insecure until americans explored the region b prepare maps and secretly establish forts in preparation for an american invasion of mexico.
The united states purchased louisiana from france in 1803. Clark expedition at this moment is in a situation not unlike. The lewis and clark expedition from may 1804 to september 1806, also known as the corps of discovery expedition, was the first american expedition to cross the western portion of the united states. The lewis and clark expedition returns safely to st. The logistics preparation of the lewis and clark expedition dtic. Jan 23, 2020 lewis and clark s expedition officially began on may 14, 1804, when they and the 33 other men making up the corps of discovery departed from their camp near st.
Volume 1, history, camp locations and daily summaries of expedition activities. Lewis s synopsis of clark s trip is in his codex j for january 10, the day of clark s return, and was likely written at that time from clark s verbal account and first draft notes. The national parks website states, lewis and clark described for science at least 120 mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, as well as at least 182 plant species the website also states, clark made his scientific mark primarily in the field of cartography his relatively crude maps, prepared under field conditions, enriched geographical. Alexander henry 17641814, the younger, reported the north west population for the companys fifteen districts in indian country. By the time the british conquered canada, and certainly by the time that thomas jefferson dispatched the lewis and clark expedition westward, the french inhabitants of the north american interior spoke vernacular versions of french that were over a century out of date and maintained only tenuous connections with the old country. Of the people 4e volume 1 student resources chapter 09. They had seen more of the world than many others in the east of america. The expedition was commissioned by president thomas jefferson shortly after the louisiana. They also brought back information on the size, minerals, and the geology of the area. They left on march 14, 1804 and returned home on september 23, 1806. For example, the expedition provided extensive facts on the northwests natural resources. The purpose of the lewis and clark trail heritage foundation, inc. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to aestablish an effective claim to the louisiana territory, which jefferson thought to be insecure until americans explored the region.
Nearly all examinations of meriwether lewis and william clarks expedition begin with. Political origins of the lewis and clark expedition thomas. Lewis and clark expedition for kids discover important information and facts about the lewis and clark expedition. The lewis and clark expedition from august 31, 1803, to september 25, 1806, also known as the corps of discovery expedition, was the first expedition to cross the western portion of the united states. It is a story of perseverance, dedication, service, hardship, danger, friendship, loyalty, excitement, wonder, heroism, triumph, and more. These men were not accustomed to military discipline, but under the direction of lewis and clark, both former army officers, the men were forced to adjust to this way of life. The slave who went to the pacific with lewis and clark. It is the story of a group of men, a woman, a baby, and a dog that came together to achieve great things and who became a family in the process. The group, after walking the shoreline 19 miles by clark s calculations, reached the uplands of cape disappointment, where clark reported finding capt lewis name on a tree. The privet is probably philadelphus lewisii pursh, lewiss syringa or lewiss mock orange, which has small, opposite, deciduous leaves much like the cultivated privet, and is known from the vicinity.
The lewis and clark expedition were dispatched primarily to the western portion of the united states. Upon leaving fort mandan, lewis and clark sent this report, along with some members of the expedition and a map of the u. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to tablish an effective claim to the louisiana territory, which jefferson thought to be insecure until americans explored the region. Lewis and clark expedition 10 facts and accomplishments. C aptain william clark recorded the high moment of the lewis and clark expedition on november 7, 1805. An inference regarding the expedition of lewis and clark jstor. Her husband, charbonneau, was hired as an interpreter, so she went along with the expedition team, even though she had just given birth to a baby boy. Clark s memoir on this joyful day contrasts curiously with the absence of any such expression from meriwether lewis. The expedition s principal objective was to survey the missouri and columbia rivers, locating routes that would connect the continental interior to the pacific ocean. The lewis and clark expedition would superbly document that the upper missouri basin provided for a dynamic biological landscape that was. The lewis and clark expedition is an american epic. In 1803 president thomas jefferson asked congress for funds to send an expedition from the missouri river to the pacific northwest. He spent the next three years dispatching parties of trappers.
The expedition was commissioned by president thomas jefferson shortly after. Jeffersons main goal was to find a water route linking the columbia and missouri rivers together. The expedition was commissioned by president thomas jefferson shortly after the louisiana purchase in 1803. Between 2003 and 2006, students and enthusiasts of meriwether lewis, william clark, and their world staged a host of events designed to raise public awareness of the expedition.
After meeting the mandan indians, lewis and clark s team built fort mandan close to presentday stanton, north dakota. The lewis and clark expedition linkedin slideshare. Jan 24, 2020 the lewis and clark expedition was considered a great success, and it did meet its official purpose, as it helped foster an american fur trade. The missouri and its indians, lewis and clark were soberly realizing, were an enormous obstacle. Also, between 1803 and 1806, jefferson dispatched the lewis and clark expedition, which traveled from saint louis to the mouth of the columbia and back. Free unfinished flashcards about apushchapter8 studystack. The subjects cover all aspects of the historic journey including the text of the journals, summaries, a simple map, a history timeline, the animals and plants discovered, famous quotes by the explorers, the hardships endured, their supplies, weapons and keelboat and their. Why did the lewis and clark expedition cross north america. The huge part of the land west of the mississippi river was completely unknown to americans and needed to be examined first before it could be settled. Lewis and clark worked tog ether as cocaptains on the expedition, leading over 40 men. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to a. Lewis seeked the help of william clark, who was a close friend of his. Lewis and clark s mission was completed successfully, partially.
Facts, information and articles about the lewis and clark expedition. The map should contain a key and the routes should be drawn using green to show the route taken west, and red and orange for the return routes taken by lewis and clark. Lewis and clark were able to document over 100 animal species and over 170 plants. The idea of the expedition came from thomas jefferson. Lewis and clark and their scientific expedition are central to oregon and united states history, and their story helps explain the links between exploration and the formation of empire. Three men were dispatched from fort clatsop to the ocean to make salt by boiling seawater. This was in anticipation of the acquisition of louisiana territory.
The united states had just obtained a huge track of mostly unexplored land. The way to the western sea lewis and clark across the. Inside of the back cover should have a map demonstrating the routes taken by the corps of discovery. The lewis and clark expedition established the precedent for army exploration in the west. The lewis and clark expedition 18041806 was a federally funded venture to explore the north american west. Lewis and clark in kansas kansapedia kansas historical. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to, report on the physical features and the plant and animal life of the louisiana territory, in which. Lewis had enough respect for clark to make him the cocaptain of the expedition, even though clark was never truly recognized as such by the government.
Students will learn that the united states purchased the louisiana territory in 1803 and president thomas jefferson sent lewis and clark to explore west of the mississippi river in 1804 though the land was already inhabited and politically complicated. Army quartermaster and commissary corps provided adequate supplies. It is noteworthy that the lewis and clark expedition had access to this map and therefore knew exactly where they were going. Lewis began a new journal codex j on january 1, 1806, and continued a consistent writing until august 12 when he laid his pen down, ending his record of the. Center for the study of the pacific northwest university of washington. The lewis and clark expedition was dispatched primarily to answer save. Decades after the lewis and clark expedition, 25 subspecies of beaver were identified by taxonomists in north america, with each subspecies having superficial morphological differences size, shape, color and geographical isolation at the time of discovery. In the spring of 1803, lewis traveled to philadelphia to. Longs scientific expedition 18191820 advanced that tradition of military exploration, this time centering attention on the central and southern great plains and the front range of the rockies. The lewis and clark journey was most likely the most significant project supported by the government in the beginning of the 1800s. Louis on may 14, 1804, with thirtyfour soldiers, hired voyagers, and clark s slave, york, they traveled through the unexplored territory and beyond it, to the pacific ocean.