Lewis and Clark

By DLD

  • Jefferson's Secretary; political

    Meriweather Lweis was requested by President Thomas Jefferson to become his personal secretary. This position spring boarded Lewiws to the position as leader of the Lewis and Clarkk expedition.

  • The Louisiana Purchase Completion; economic

    President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 millin dollars. This provided the oppritunity for Lewis and Clark to lead the Corpse of Discovery in exploring the area and attemting to make peace with local Native Americans along the way.

  • Lewis Request Clark's Assistance; economic

    Meriwether Lewis wrote a letter to William Clark on this day. Leiws requested his old military ally to co-lead the Corps of Discovery with him.

  • Expedition Finalized; political

    Thomas Jerrferson authorized the Louisiana Purchase Expedition on this day. The expedition was granted $2,500 from Congress.

  • The Expedition Begins; economic

    Meriwether Lewis along with his crew joined William Clark and his men on this day to explore together. The Corps would discover much information regarding the culture and biology of the Louisiana Territory.

  • Discovering Oto Villages; political

    The Corps of Discovery's first came across evidence of Indians in the Louisiana Territory on this day. Due to the Oto hunting buffalo, the Corps found the villages empty.

  • Meeting with Natives ; diplomatic

    The first formal meeting with Indians of the Louisiana Territotory occured on this day. The meeting was peaceful for the most part. Louis and Clark had gifts given to men they assumed were ranking cheifs. Sometimes, they guessed wrong and gave a gift to a lesser individual and caused tensions.

  • Little Theif and Big Horse encounter; political

    Lewis met with the Oto Cheif Little Theif and the Missouri Cheif Big Horse on this day. He talked with the Cheifs about peace and trade. The cheifs also received gifts that failed to impress them.

  • Tenton Sioux encounter; social

    The Corps of Discovery was unfortunate in their meetin gwith the Tenton Sioux Native Americans. When the Corps presented the Tenton Sioux with gifts, they responded with hostility. Luckily, no blood was shed, and the encounter ended when both sides withdrew.

  • Winter at Fort Mandan; diplomatic

    The Corps of Discovery established their 1804-1805 winter camp called Fort Mandan in the villages of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians. They spent the winter learning from the traders and Native Americans of the area.

  • First Drawn Map; Technological

    William Clark, the cartographer for the Corpse of Discovery, finished his first decent map of the Louisiana Territory during the winter of 1804-1805. This map was based on the area explored thus far.

  • Sacagawea Joins The Team; diplomatic

    Lewis and Clark enlisted the help of Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea. They served the Corpse of Discovery as translators, but Sacagawea also served as a symbol of peace to Native Americans.

  • The Missouri's Three Forks; Social

    The Corps of Discovery reached the Three Forks of the Missouri River on this day. After sending a small party ahead to discern the best route, the Corps decided to sail on the southwest fork five days later.

  • Shoshone Meeting, political

    Lewis met the Shoshone Indians on this day. This Native American tribe proved to be be a valuable ally to the Corps of Discovery.

  • Reach the Pacific; technological

    On this day the Corps of Discovery finally reached the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark had successfully completed their mission to find a route to the Pacific Ocean through the Louisiana Territory.

  • Winter at Fort Clatsop; social

    After reaching the Pacific Coast, The Corps began to build fort Clatsop on this day. They remained there through the winter of 1805-1806. The Corps of Discovery eagerly departed for home on March 23, 1806.

  • Divide and Conquer; social

    On the return journey from the Pacific Ocean, the Corps of Discovery split up at Traveler's Rest in order to explore more ground. Lewis took nine crew men north, and Clark took the rest south.

  • Reunion; Social

    Lewis was shot in the backside by one of Clark's men who mistook him for an animal. The two groups were reunited at this point and traveled the rest of the way home together.

  • Return Home; social

    The Corps of Discovery returned to St. Louis marking the end of the expedition. They were welcomed home by the people of St. Louis.

  • Clark Heads Indian Affairs; Political

    After the Corps of Discovery returned from the west, Jefferson named William Clark the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Territory of Upper Louisiana. This position was held by Clark until 1813.

  • Governor of the Louisiana Territory; political

    After the expedition of the west, Thomas Jefferson apponited Lewis to the position of Governor of the Louisiana Territory. Unforunatly, Lewis proved a bad fit for this position.