Lewis And Clark Dbq Essay

557 Words3 Pages

President Thomas Jefferson in 1804 elected as president. One day, he discovers that the French were selling the Louisiana Territory to Spain, he takes advantage of this and buys it instead, thus making the Louisiana Purchase to extend the U.S. two times its original size and to gain control of New Orleans Mississippi River. After the purchase, the Lewis & Clark Expedition was formed to discover more about the Louisiana Territory in which the Native Americans had dwelled. Lewis & Clark were respectful to the Native Americans they encountered during their expedition because they had to prevent future quarrels. Lewis and Clark were mostly friendly to the Native Americans due to a request from Thomas Jefferson himself to be kind to them. In Document B one of his men murdered an Indian by stabbing them, however, when an Indian chief died, they took a flag back and left the chief’s medal alone out of respect. …show more content…

In that same document, he also stated “You are to live in peace with all the white men.neither wage war against the red men your neighbors,” He then said “and in future ages will make you outnumber the trees of the forest.” Lewis intended to let the Indians live and reside with other Americans in peace. Second, Lewis and Clark were respectful to the Indigenous people they encountered on their expedition because they only attacked back when necessary. According to Document B authored by Meriweather Lewis, it says: “R. Fields, as he seized his gun, stabbed the Indian to the heart with his knife.” This evidence supports my claim because one of Lewis’ men had a valid reason to stab the Indian. Since the Native Americans stole the gun on purpose, they could have killed the owner instead and may have killed Lewis & Clark. The gun being lost may have been intended for self-defense. Therefore, proving that they would be nice to the Indians unless there was malicious intent between Lewis and Clark’s