Lewis and Clark Expedition Essay

The Lewis and Clark Expedition during the 1800’s was a trip that impacted America greatly. In 1803, the United States was twenty-seven years old. Thomas Jefferson, the president at the time, was a people type of guy. He was one of the most important presidents that we have ever had. Thomas Jefferson is known for many things such as the Louisiana Purchase, which was a purchase of land for 15 million dollars from France in 1803. Thomas Jefferson purchase also increased the size of America to nearly double of the land we originally had, but with all this land we needed a brave, intelligent strong leader to go discover the new land that we have. Jefferson then asked his secretary, Meriwether

The expedition of Lewis and Clark began on May 21,1804. Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Lewis met Clark in 1795 in the army. Lewis was asked to be Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary in 1801. Clark was born on August 1, 1770 near Caroline County, Virginia. Clark first entered the military at age 19 and served in the militia. Lewis asked Clark for help on the exploration and made him co-captain. With purchasing land from France called the Louisiana Purchase in April 1803, Jefferson wanted to find a water route that linked Columbia and the Missouri river, connected Pacific Ocean with the Missouri river system, and gave Western land access to port out of Mexico to the East. President also wanted to know what the land he recently bought was like. Lewis and Clark’s expedition immediately got easier with the help of Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife, Sacagawea on November 4, 1804. Sacagawea and her husband helped the exploration run more smoothly without the chance of misunderstanding with the Native American tribes. When Lewis and Clark returned to president Jefferson, they were treated as national heroes. They received gifts such as double pay. The men on the expedition

The Louisiana Territory was purchased for 15 million dollars by Thomas Jefferson from France. Napoleon sold the Land because he needed to pay of the war debts. The territory had more than 800 million acres of land that were undiscovered. Thomas Jefferson was very curious to see if there was a connection to the Pacific Ocean. Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to explore the territory and to take notes of any plants and animals. He selected William Clark to be his co commander because enthusiast of the outdoors just likes Meriwether

Meriwether Lewis and William were two explorers in the early nineteenth century. They travelled nearly 8,000 miles, in approximately two years, and were instrumental in shaping American history.

Meriwether Lewis is the main reason that the United States’ territory extends from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean (“Meriwether Lewis” 2). He has done many great things, but he is best known for exploring the American West (1). He was a great man full of bravery. Meriwether faced tons of dangers in his life but he overcame all of them. Lewis “helped change the face of the United States by exploring uncharted territory- the American West (“Meriwether Lewis” 2).”

Lewis and Clark’s influence on western expansion In 1803 the land west of the Mississippi was a vast unknown world ripe for exploration. Western expansion was the movement of Americans from the well mapped eastern states to the unknown land west of the Mississippi river. Lewis and Clark mapped the Exploration’s path and camp sites into deep details. Lewis and Clark recorded and influenced relations with Native Americans they encountered.

Thomas Jefferson was a big leader in early American times. In January, 1803 he made a big decision. He was going to spend $2,500 on an expedition towards the western parts of the United States to research the many things that are there for them. He selected Meriwether Lewis who then selected William Clark who were both in the army. They were to study the landscape, wildlife, and other natural features. They were also to try and communicate with the Native Americans and try and find a waterway route between the Mississippi River and the Pacific.

“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.

In this voyage of discovery from Louisiana territory to the Pacific Ocean, United States Army Captain Meriwether Lewis was named the leader by Thomas Jefferson, and Lewis named William Clark as the second leader in command. As a result, the Lewis and Clark Expedition provided many useful information about the life of Indian tribes, plant, and animals in the continent. Thanks to the president Thomas Jefferson, the expedition helped establish the U.S. presence in the newly acquired territory and let United States have more opportunities to do further exploration, trade and scientific discoveries in the future. Just like Thomas Jefferson said: “We shall delineate with correctness the great arteries of this great country: those who come after us will fill up the canvas we

Either way, Lewis was the man for the job. He had skill as a gentleman, politician and military officer as well as skill with the sciences and all the knowledge of Indians as could be found. With his friend William Clark as his equal for the journey, they spent the fall and winter in preparation. Jefferson had given Lewis a “blank check” with the understanding that he should buy what he needed and the U.S. government would pay the bill, despite the fact that only $2500 had originally been approved by congress before the formal purchase of the Louisiana Territory. (Jefferson)

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.

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.

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.

In 1800 Thomas Jefferson was elected president. With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Jefferson had the vision of the United States growing from sea to sea. However, it was unknown what was out there. Jefferson planned an exploratory expedition and called upon Meriwether Lewis to lead it. Jefferson was very interested in what was in the west lands. Much was involved in the carrying out of this expedition; the preparations for this trip, what happened during their long journey west, and the return home. This expedition was very important in the development of the United States.