The 1997 Filmlewis And Clark: The Journey Of The Corps Of Discovery

The expedition of Lewis and Clark was a landmarking event in American history, but its significance goes beyond just the land they discovered.The Lewis and Clark Expedition was put forward so the two would be able to see and map out western America in search of new trade routes and passages. Lewis and Clark would have doubtfully survived had it not been with the aid of the Indians they met on their travels. Upon their controversial meetings with several Indian groups, Lewis and Clark were not respectful to the Americans they met on their journey. The controversial messages behind the peace metals, the reference to the Indians as “children”, and the physical

In May of 1804, two men set out on an important journey that would take them across the country and discover new land, but none of it would have been possible without the aid of one woman. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was planned by Thomas Jefferson, in order to explore the unknown in the newly purchased Louisiana Territory, and also to find a water route across the continent. Along the way the group of men met a quiet native, named Sacagawea, whose impact would later have a large effect on the success of their important journey.

Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark put their lives on the line only to return with information regarding the Pacific Northwest of the United States territory. Their reasons behind this journey, being to expand the United States to the West, involved the entire nation but debatably, their accomplishments and the reaction of others became a major part of today’s history.

On May 14, 1804 in the eastern city of Saint Louis, William Clark and Merry-weather Lewis set of on the westward adventure that would change America as we know it today. Their journey began on the Mississippi River, those rapids would propel Lewis and Clark into the "Corps of Discovery". Across the vast land that these men would soon travel lived the many native-american tribes. The Native people hunted freely across their western lands, lived their life as one with the ground they so carefully treaded on. Soon, the great American adventurers and the native people would meet, but one brought with them the foreshadowing of a new era. An era when American life would be greatly improved with new natural resources and plentiful free land, but only at the cost of ruining the native american people of their way of life. The Lewis and Clark Expedition expanded the knowledge and lifestyle of America but began the elimination of the original American natives way of life and culture.

The Lewis and Clark expedition was a truth that was to become the crowning accomplishment in the lifetime of the brilliant thinker, inventor, and founding father, Thomas Jefferson . It has become a profounding turning point throughout America’s history. Investigating the recently obtained Louisiana Territory, which nearly doubled the size of the country, arranged Jefferson the opportunity to widen the boundaries of the United States to include both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The threat of the unknown lay ahead for Lewis and Clark’s team. The explorers had no idea what they would e be confronted with on their journey, but still they advanced into the unknown area that could officially be called part of America. Thanks to the addition of Lewis, Clark, their essential guide Sacajawea, and the many men that traveled with them America was able to expose land as well as providing important information about the topography, the biological studies, the ecology, and the studies of the American Indian as they discovered the mysteries of the Louisiana Purchase. Although it was a treacherous and costly journey, the Lewis and Clark expedition was the most important exploration in American history.

On February 28, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson, with the approval of congress, created the Corps of Discovery. Their mission was to map the newly acquired western lands of the Louisianna Purchase, almost 1803—828,000 square miles of unexplored territory, as well as find a route to the Pacific Ocean. This expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. During their adventure, the group encountered many hostile Native American groups, and if not for Sacagawea, these tribes would have surely jeopardized their operation. Due to her role as a helpful guide, Sacagawea was crucial in the encounter between the Corps of Discovery and the Native Americans because she negotiated and traded between the groups, functioned as a peace token, and served as an interpreter.

Exploration has always been a central theme in the development of the United States. The Louisiana Purchase, in 1803, made the government more eager to expand west. The newly acquired lands were in need of exploration. A team needed to be established to survey and document the new territory. The Lewis and Clark expedition would answer the unknown questions of the west. The expedition would not have been successful without the leadership, determination, discipline of the Corps of Discovery, and the cooperation of the Native Americans. President Jefferson wanted the leader to have the same passion and intensity toward the discovery of the west as he possessed. Jefferson hand-

They were led well though. The author holds Meriwether Lewis in high esteem. Jefferson took Meriwether under his wing and into his President's House to be his secretary. Their father-son relationship became a deep friendship, and Jefferson chose Lewis to head the expedition. Lewis chose an associate, William Clark, to join him in command. Though Clark's official Army rank was lieutenant, theirs was a true co-captaincy. Most people’s perception of early builders of America is with a purity of reason and purpose, while, Ambrose shows that they are just as greedy then as they are now. Also in the way of the book Ambrose wipes out the belief that Indians were innocent harmless humans. They were filthy, dishonest, and belligerent, and awful to their women, not totally unlike the mass of mankind.

The group that helped William Clark and Meriwether Lewis were called Corps of Discovery by many historians. They faced many dangers like meeting the Native Americans and bringing unprepared for the weather. Along their way, they met many Native Americans who helped them to survive. They knew that meeting a different group of Native American could be deadly. Along the way they picked up Sacajawea who was a part of the Shoshone Indian who acted as their interrupter and guide along their voyage. While Sacajawea was helping Lewis and Clark on their expedition she gave birth to a child. They reached the Pacific Ocean on November 1805. They stayed along the Pacific Coast and built shelter for the winter. In 1806 Lewis and Meriwether took different routes one by boat and one by foot. While Lewis was exploring the Land by his feet he was robbed by Indian and shot by one of his men hunting. Thankfully, Lewis and Meriwether met up. Throughout their journey they traveled nearly 8,000 miles.

In order to know the land better, President Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on an expedition to find a route from St. Louis, Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.

Two men were chosen to explore the new territory; Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They started the expedition in May, 1804 to September, 1806. Jefferson had sent out the expedition to find a new route to the Pacific Ocean, and establish a colony on the west before Britain, or another country claimed it. Of course, the secondary objectives were scientific studies, and economics. Lewis and Clark were not the only men on the expedition, they were just the leaders. They had 40 other men, French, Americans, and one African-American all on the expedition with them.

Nearing the summer of 1804, Meriwether Lewis was selected to lead an expedition across the continent in order to find a waterway that spanned the continent, the Northwest Passage, and also to document new discoveries he made along the way. He picked his best friend William Clark to lead the expedition with him, and they were “to ascend the Missouri river with a boat as far as it is navigable, and then go by land to the western ocean if nothing prevents.”1 Their mission, given to them by Thomas Jefferson, who was president at the time; was of the utmost importance for whoever found the fabled Northwest Passage first and controlled it, would effectively control the entire continent. So they Corps of Discovery, as the expedition group was called, set off on a journey they wouldn’t return from for two years, four months, and ten days.

“As we passed on, it seemed those scenes of visionary enchantment would never have an end” (Lewis). This quote shows Americas’ beauty seen by of one of the great explorers in our nation’s history, Meriwether Lewis. Not often referred to by his first name, Lewis was joined by companion William Clark as they set upon the greatest test of their lives. Lewis and Clark were assigned to reach the ocean from St.Louis Missouri, a task deemed impossible in 1804. There was one man that saw it it possible, he sent Lewis and Clark to expand the country’s horizons. The path would be long and traitorous, it would take approximately 7,000 miles for Lewis and Clark to return home (“Frequently Asked Questions”). The western part of our nation was a foreign land, almost another country. The land and creatures that inhabited it was left to imagination by men who had never seen west of the Mississippi. Men told of 7-foot-tall beavers, unicorns, and exquisite land forms. (“PBS”). The daunting expedition was ordered by the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. In addition to organizing the Lewis and Clarke expedition, Jefferson shaped America by; assisting in writing the declaration of independence, making the Louisiana purchase, and serving as one of the founders of the Bill of Rights. Having passed nearly 200 years ago it may be thought that a man could not impact our world, but on the contrary, our country could not be what it is today without Thomas Jefferson.

What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition and what did the expedition accomplish?

The things Jefferson wanted from Lewis and Clark was to “obtain information about their language, traditions and occupations.” Even though the gathering of intelligence would soon be proven invaluable in future attempts to become allies with these people it showed the interest Jefferson had with the Indian culture. But how would Lewis and Clark do such a thing when every foreign would see them as a threat? Having Sacagawea and her child accompany them on the trip they were not perceived as a warrior. Therefore by the help of her they avoided conflict. As Clark would say “a woman with a party of men is a token peace sign.” If Jefferson could have the Indians on their side eventually the United States would have more land available to help sustained the ideal of a yeoman republic which in the end would ensure Jefferson view of the political view of