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Questions and Answers
What was one of the main goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
What was one of the main goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Who served as the co-leader of the expedition alongside Meriwether Lewis?
Who served as the co-leader of the expedition alongside Meriwether Lewis?
What significant contribution did Lewis and Clark make to future exploration?
What significant contribution did Lewis and Clark make to future exploration?
What role did Sacagawea play in the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
What role did Sacagawea play in the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
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What was the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
What was the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
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During the expedition, which tribe did Lewis and Clark meet at Fort Mandan?
During the expedition, which tribe did Lewis and Clark meet at Fort Mandan?
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What date did the Lewis and Clark Expedition reach the Pacific Ocean?
What date did the Lewis and Clark Expedition reach the Pacific Ocean?
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What was one of the scientific discoveries made by Lewis and Clark during their expedition?
What was one of the scientific discoveries made by Lewis and Clark during their expedition?
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What significant challenge did the expedition face while crossing the Rocky Mountains?
What significant challenge did the expedition face while crossing the Rocky Mountains?
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Why was the relationship with Native American tribes important to the expedition?
Why was the relationship with Native American tribes important to the expedition?
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Study Notes
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
- Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase (1803)
- Main goals:
- Explore the Louisiana Territory (geography, plants, animals, natural resources)
- Find a Northwest Passage (water route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans)
- Establish trade with Native American tribes
Key Figures
- Meriwether Lewis: Leader, soldier, personal secretary to President Jefferson, knowledgeable about science and natural history
- William Clark: Co-leader, skilled mapmaker and soldier, experienced in wilderness exploration, responsible for detailed records
The Journey
- Departure: May 14, 1804, from St. Louis, Missouri
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Major Stops:
- Fort Mandan: Built in North Dakota (winter of 1804-1805) where they met the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes
- Sacagawea: Shoshone woman who joined the expedition as a guide and interpreter, valuable knowledge of the land and languages
- The Rocky Mountains: The expedition faced harsh weather and difficult terrain
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Reaching the Pacific:
- Columbia River: November 1805, the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean, spending the winter there before returning home
Impact of the Expedition
- Mapping the West: Detailed maps created to aid future explorers and settlers
- Scientific Discoveries: Documentation of numerous plant and animal species, some previously unknown
- Foundation for westward expansion: Provided valuable information for trade, diplomacy, and settlement in the newly acquired territory
- Expansion of American knowledge: The expedition contributed significantly to American understanding of the vast, unknown territories of the West
- Strengthening of relations with Native Americans: The expedition helped to foster positive relationships with Native American tribes, which proved valuable in future interactions.
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Description
Explore the significant achievements and challenges faced by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during their expedition from 1804 to 1806. Learn about their objectives, key figures, and the routes they took in the Louisiana Territory. This quiz highlights notable events and contributions that shaped American exploration history.
