Effects Of Lewis And Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark Expedition Cir. 1804-1806

12N40 EN SLC

SSG Derick Coleman

MSG Benoit Fregiste

24 February 2017

Abstract

The Lewis and Clark expedition took place in reaction to the Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson made a deal with France for the purchase of nearly 827,000 square miles of land that is currently home to numerous states west of the Mississippi river system. The newly purchased land needed to be explored in order to find a water route to connect the eastern portion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. This route would secure timely trade with Eastern European and Asian countries. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with many volunteers would embark on an adventure to last nearly three years. The

(Jefferson to Du Pont 1802) outlines the importance of this deal. “This little event, of France possessing herself of Louisiana, is the embryo of a tornado which will burst on the countries on both shores of the Atlantic and involve in its effects their highest destinies”. The effects of the purchase deal would open a world of trade and link what was currently known as the small country of America to the rest of the world. But first, a route must be found. That is where Thomas Jefferson enlists the help of Meriwether Louis and William Clark to find a path

Louis Missouri. That summer the team explored a vast portion of the Missouri river which lead northwest toward the Dakotas. The summer was spent pushing and pulling through unfamiliar terrain. The boats that were used proved to be unfit for traversing the waters that would lay ahead. The decision was made in late fall to set up a camp for the winter months ahead. The camp was built by Lewis and Clark and later became a well-known trapper’s camp named Fort Manden. The name of the fort came from the local Indian tribe called the Manden Indians. The Corps would winter at Fort Manden and spend time exploring and detailed maps of the area and river were drawn by William Clark. This is where they would meet the famed Sacagawea. The team realized the value of Sacagawea and her language skills as an interpreter. They knew that she would be needed in the event that they came across other Native American tribes. Her knowledge of the harsh terrain would be crucial to the success of the mission. (History.com). Sacagawea would bring new life to the team. She taught them how to build boats more suitable for the trip. The newly acquired skill would allow the discovery team to build what is known as the