Why Is Lewis And Clark Important

The year of 1803 significantly changed our nation eternally. It stunned many people. In no way, shape or form, did we ever believe that our nation would expand so rapidly. What started with the small purchase of New Orleans led into the substantial purchase of the Louisiana Territory. This was a purchase that will make Thomas Jefferson a man to be remembered. Although, he wasn’t the only man who impacted the United States during this time period. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are the two men that are greatly known for their expedition across the Louisiana Territory. These two subjects, the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, altered our nation immeasurably.

Lewis couldn't go alone, however, even though he was known for being an intelligent, and literate man, as well as being an experienced frontiersman. Therefore, Lewis asked Jefferson if a man known as William Clark could be a part of the exploration. Clark was an even more experienced draftsman and frontiersman than Lewis. Jefferson approved of the duo and believed that the men would find Wolly Mammoths, volcanoes, and a mountain of salt. Thus, Jefferson initiated a military Corps of

First, Lewis and Clark were chosen to go on a journey to make a map for Jefferson the president. “He wanted the expedition to prepare the way for the extensions of the American fur trade and to advance geographical knowledge.”

The exploration of Lewis and Clark into the Louisiana Purchase had a great impact on the United States. During the exploration, they encountered Native American tribes, who exchanged items with them, and new species of plants and animals.

The expedition started May 14, 1804. One of the main reasons Jefferson put on the expedition was to find a direct water route to the Pacific. After a 2 year search, they were unable to find a water route to the Pacific. If Lewis and Clark did find a water route to the Pacific, the Americans would have been able to expand much faster into the west. Lewis and Clark found about 180 new plants and 125 undiscovered animals. However, Lewis and Clark did not find the wooly mammoths Jefferson expected they would discover. Some of the undiscovered plants included the bearberry which was later used as an herbal medicine, and the bitterroot which was later used for injuries and headaches. Some new animals they discovered included, the Pronghorn antelope, the big-horn sheep, and the prairie dog. “Caught one live by poreing a great quantity of water in his hole.”(“Famous Lewis and Clark Quotes”) Quote by Meriwether Lewis on the prairie dog. Without some of Lewis and Clark’s discoveries, America would of had more trouble treating injuries since they wouldn’t of had all the plants that treated those injuries. The knowledge of these animals would have also been valuable to the people who would soon settle the

While the Lewis and Clark expedition was pivotal for the development of the United States, the expedition impacted natives greatly through its positive effects, the involvement

The tale of bravery and heroism shown by Lewis and Clark during their western exploration is one that cannot be ripped from the fabrics of our country’s history. This journey opened up a multitude of new opportunities for our country by providing us with essential knowledge about the unknown lands to the west. Economic incentives were the driving force behind the trek, as the United States government wanted to discover what raw materials were available for exploitation and if there was an efficient route for trade. The primary factor behind the journey taken by Lewis and Clark was Jefferson’s fear of losing economic power.

Then they also had to deal with mosquitoes, they were a major problem for the explorers because, the mosquitoes would cause swelling of the face and eyes. Besides that they had to handle encountering many different wild animals. One encounter Lewis nearly died getting attacked by a grizzly bear. To continue the explorers had to try an make good relations with Native Americans and they usually went well except for one incident where they had to fight. There wasn’t any casualties for the explorers but two members out of the black fleet tribe died. They would also get lost an be on the verge of starving. However by the end of the expedition there was only one casualty, Sargent Charles Floyd and it was from a ruptured appendix so for the explorers this was a successful expedition.

One of the greatest journeys in American history is the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Under President Thomas Jefferson’s orders, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark went on an 8,000 mile journey westward. The lands Lewis, Clark, and their men explored were purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Over the next three years the two men would discover new plants, animals, landmarks, negotiate with Indian Tribes, and clear the way for Americans to settle in the west. I chose to do my research paper over Lewis and Clark, because it is important to appreciate the amount of knowledge they gave to all of America. I find Lewis and Clark’s numerous discoveries fascinating, because animals like the ground hog, which is so common to us today, were unheard of back in their time. Lewis and Clark helped people see the west side of North America in a new light, and helped prepare settlers for the west by teaching them things unfathomable at the time.

Without the expedition of Lewis and Clark, the American history that people know would be completely different changing the accomplishments in history. The background and experience Lewis and Clark already developed prior to the expedition would be very beneficial and help make the journey easier. The development of the mission played a key part in the expedition itself because if the development did not play out exactly how Jefferson planned, then the expedition may not have been as successful. A big part of history, the expedition was very significant and impacted American society in ways that no one will ever be able to understand. Although the expedition of Lewis and Clark would be a very long journey, the United States would not have developed into such a prosperous country without the two men who traveled across the terrain in rain and snow in order to improve the United States.

Louis and Clark were sent out to explore the new land, to see what it was like out in the unexplored land. The Corps of Discovery left in May 1804 and didn’t come back until September 1806. Within those two years Louis, Clark and their men, had encountered with Native Americans. This is a really important deal because the natives had helped Louis and Clark on their journey. Sacajawea helped them with paths, directions, and interacting with other Indians. If Louis and Clark never had encounters with the natives than they would have never found their way back home. If they didn’t return home on one would know if it was safe land to live on, or bad land to live on. Ever since they explored the land that Jefferson bought, more people went out and explored, there were fur trapper’s mountain men and many different types of people that had went out and explored after Louis and Clark returned. So the point on why it was a turning point, is because they made interactions with the Native Americans, and the natives helped explore the new

Along the way the men ran into different people what we know as Indians. As Lewis and Clark traveled from state to state we were greeted by different tribes some more welcoming than others. The pair came baring gifts, however, the gifts were not always wanted. The men gave tomahawks, sheet iron, flannel, combs ,and many more items. In a result to their kindness a Indiana women named Sacagawea guided them through the “New Land”. Without her the men could not have made it as far as they did. Not only did she guide them ,but she would communicate with the other Indians and explain why the strange men were on their land. Sacagawea saved the pair’s life and helped the U.S. learn about the “New

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 influence of the “Manifest Destiny” and the possible economic rewards were the driving force behind Jefferson’s desire to send Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to go on a three year expedition westwards to the Pacific Ocean in August of 1803. While the journey to the West provided Lewis and Clark was one that was both fascinating and difficult, the journey back home was one that was filled with obstacles. Some of the difficulties faced on the journey home can be attributed to the climate and topography of the land which are recorded in the journals of Lewis and Clark.

After being issued by President Thomas Jefferson to map, explore, and compile information on the land just bought through the Louisiana Purchase, Captain Meriwether Lewis and 2nd Lieutenant William Clark set off on one of the greatest expeditions of all time. This paper will explore what adversities were faced on the Corp of Discoveries. From militant Indians to diseases like dysentery, they faced it all. And as Captain Lewis documented, “We went as close to hell as you can go in this lifetime.” (11.Perry)