11.1 Lewis and Clark
3 min read•june 24, 2024
The nearly doubled the size of the United States, acquiring 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million in 1803. This massive land deal opened up new territories for settlement, secured access to the Mississippi River, and laid the foundation for further westward expansion.
The , initiated by President Jefferson, sought to find a practical route to the Pacific Ocean and gather scientific data about the West. The journey relied heavily on Native American assistance, particularly from , and established diplomatic relations with various tribes along the way.
The Louisiana Purchase and Westward Expansion
Impact of Louisiana Purchase
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- Nearly doubled size of United States acquiring approximately 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million (1803)
- Opened up vast new territories for American settlement and exploration including Mississippi River basin and tributaries extending U.S. territory from Mississippi River to
- Provided access to port of New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico securing navigation rights on Mississippi River facilitating trade and transportation for western settlers
- Laid foundation for further westward expansion sparking interest in exploring and settling newly acquired lands leading to concept of and belief in United States' right to expand across continent (, )
- Initiated by President , who saw the purchase as an opportunity for national growth and scientific exploration
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Goals and outcomes of Lewis and Clark
- Primary goal: Find practical route across western half of continent to Pacific Ocean identifying navigable rivers and passages through Rocky Mountains establishing American presence in before European powers could claim territory
- Secondary goals: Gather scientific data about flora, fauna, and geography of region, establish diplomatic relations with Native American tribes, assess potential for trade and settlement in West
- Outcomes:
- Mapped route to Pacific Ocean via Missouri and Columbia Rivers
- Collected extensive scientific data including plant and animal specimens (grizzly bear, prairie dog) and detailed descriptions of landscape
- Established relations with some Native American tribes (, ) paving way for future trade and diplomacy
- Strengthened U.S. claims to Pacific Northwest particularly Oregon Country
- Provided valuable information for future westward migration and settlement (, )
Corps of Discovery and Native Americans
- Expedition relied on Native American tribes for guidance, supplies, and information about landscape and routes with Sacagawea, a woman, serving as interpreter and guide obtaining horses from Shoshone essential for crossing Rocky Mountains
- Established diplomatic relations with tribes through gift-giving (peace medals) and ceremonies participating in councils and ceremonies with tribal leaders
- Encountered both friendly and hostile tribes during journey
- Introduced Native Americans to new trade goods and technologies trading for supplies such as food and horses and introducing tribes to firearms and other manufactured goods
- Gathered information about tribal customs, languages, and political structures recording detailed observations in journals and collecting artifacts and specimens related to Native American cultures
- Spent winter at , a fort they constructed near present-day Washburn, North Dakota, where they interacted extensively with local tribes
Key Geographic Features
- : Served as the primary waterway for the expedition's westward journey
- : Provided the route to reach the Pacific Ocean
- Rocky Mountains: Presented a significant challenge for the expedition, requiring careful navigation and assistance from Native American tribes
- Pacific Northwest: The ultimate destination of the expedition, where they established American presence and gathered crucial information about the region
Key Terms to Review (20)
Blackfeet: The Blackfeet are a confederacy of several Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes that have inhabited the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in what is now the U.S. state of Montana for centuries. They are known for their rich cultural traditions and their interactions with early European explorers and settlers in the American West.
California Gold Rush: The California Gold Rush was a significant historical event in the mid-19th century, marked by a massive influx of prospectors seeking their fortunes in the discovery of gold in California. This event had far-reaching impacts on the economic, social, and political landscape of the United States, as it drew people from around the world and led to the rapid development of the American West.
Columbia River: The Columbia River is a major river in western North America that originates in the Canadian Rockies and flows into the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region and has played a significant role in the history and development of the United States, particularly in the context of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Corps of Discovery: The Corps of Discovery was the expedition team led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark that was tasked with exploring the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase and finding a potential water route to the Pacific Ocean. It was the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of the country.
Fort Mandan: Fort Mandan was a temporary wooden fort constructed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in present-day North Dakota during the winter of 1804-1805. It served as the expedition's main base of operations and a hub for cultural exchange with the local Mandan and Hidatsa tribes.
Hidatsa: The Hidatsa are a Native American tribe indigenous to the Great Plains region of the United States. They are known for their agricultural practices, social organization, and interactions with early American explorers and settlers.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was a historic expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States in the early 19th century.
Louisiana Purchase: The Louisiana Purchase was a major land acquisition by the United States from France in 1803, which doubled the size of the country and had significant implications for the nation's growth and development in the early 19th century.
Mandan: The Mandan were a Native American tribe that inhabited the northern Great Plains region, primarily along the Missouri River in what is now the state of North Dakota. They were known for their unique earth lodge villages, agricultural practices, and complex social and religious traditions.
Manifest Destiny: Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This ideology justified and motivated the country's territorial expansion, often at the expense of Native American populations and through conflict with neighboring nations.
Mexican Cession: The Mexican Cession refers to the large swath of land ceded by Mexico to the United States following the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. This territorial acquisition had significant implications for the expansion of the United States and the ongoing debate over the issue of slavery in the newly acquired regions.
Missouri River: The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, flowing approximately 2,341 miles from its source in Montana to its mouth where it joins the Mississippi River. It has played a significant role in the exploration and development of the American West, particularly in the context of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Nez Perce: The Nez Perce are a Native American tribe indigenous to the Inland Northwest region of the United States, known for their skilled horsemanship and resistance to forced relocation during the late 19th century.
Oregon Country: The Oregon Country was a region in western North America that was the subject of a long-running dispute between the United States and Great Britain in the early 19th century. It encompassed the land west of the Rocky Mountains, north of the Spanish claims in California, south of Russian claims in Alaska, and east to the Continental Divide.
Oregon Trail: The Oregon Trail was a historic overland route that connected the Missouri River to the Pacific Northwest, enabling the mass migration of settlers to the western United States during the 19th century. This significant trail played a crucial role in the nation's westward expansion, transportation revolution, and the Mexican-American War.
Pacific Northwest: The Pacific Northwest is a geographic region in western North America that includes the states of Oregon, Washington, and sometimes British Columbia in Canada. It is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged coastlines and dense temperate rainforests to snow-capped mountain peaks.
Rocky Mountains: The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America that stretch from northern Canada to the southwestern United States. This vast and rugged mountain system has played a significant role in the exploration and development of the western regions of the continent, including during the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Sacagawea: Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. She played a crucial role in the success of the expedition's journey across the western United States.
Shoshone: The Shoshone are a Native American tribe indigenous to the Great Basin and surrounding regions of the western United States. They are known for their adaptability to the harsh desert environment and their important role in the history of westward expansion and exploration, particularly in the context of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States. He was a prominent figure during the American Enlightenment and played a pivotal role in the Great Awakening, the formation of the New American Republic, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.