Table of Contents
Why did Lewis and Clark go on the expedition?
The Lewis And Clark Expedition Begins Their mission was to explore the unknown territory, establish trade with the Natives and affirm the sovereignty of the United States in the region. One of their goals was to find a waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean.
Why did Jefferson choose Lewis?
Meriwether Lewis, not knowing where he may be.” Jefferson gave two reasons for seeking the young Lewis: first his knowledge of the western country and the army and secondly, “A personal acquaintance with him, owing from his being of my neighborhood.” Familiarity and trust were apparent on both sides.
What task did Jefferson assign to Lewis and Clark?
The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804, when President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis with exploring lands west of the Mississippi River that comprised the Louisiana Purchase.
What did Lewis and Clark collect?
Lewis & Clark Expedition – Scientific Discovery. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was one of the great explorations in American history. Lewis and Clark observed and collected plant and animal specimens, studied native cultures, and, by mapping the landscape, put form to the unknown.
Who was in charge of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis, his personal secretary, to command the expedition. At Monticello, Jefferson had been teaching Lewis what he could about science. Jefferson also sent Lewis to Philadelphia for tutoring from scientific friends of Jefferson’s, including Dr. Benjamin Rush.
When did Lewis and Clark travel up the Missouri River?
When the spring of 1805 brought high water and favorable weather, the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out on the next leg of its journey. They traveled up the Missouri to present-day Three Forks, Montana, wisely choosing to follow the western-most tributary, the Jefferson River.
What did Lewis and Clark do to maintain discipline?
To maintain discipline, Lewis and Clark ruled the Corps with an iron hand and doled out harsh punishments such as bareback lashing and hard labor for those who got out of line. On August 20, 22-year-old Corps member Sergeant Charles Floyd died of an abdominal infection, possibly from appendicitis.
Lewis would use the navigational instruments to plot and record his geographic positions while on the journey. Lewis also received some tutoring in identifying plants, as one of the duties assigned to him by Jefferson would be to record the trees and plants growing in the west.