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Beginning of a change
After the Loisiana Treaty was made, President Thomas Jefferson puchased 828,000 square miles of Louisiana territory from France. Jefferson made sure that someone would navigate his new territory to find links for the Columbian and Missouri rivers. It would connect the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Jeffereson called up Meriwether Lewis and William Clark . www.Archives.gov/education/lessons/lewis-clark/ -
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How their expedition affects us today
They were on a scientific journey, and those types of journeys back then were very important. It introduced us to new plants and animals and native tribes (thanks to Sacagewea and despite the fact that the president Thomas Jefferson thought there would be wooly mammoths, raging volcanoes, and many things that disappeared long ago). It changed our way of geography, gave us new lands for agriculture and settlement and a new path to the Pacific Ocean. -
Expedition Begins.
They had planned this expedtion since fall 1803. They had at least 4 dozen men come along with them (at least 33 would go exploring and 1 dies due to appendix rupture.) They made their way up the Missouri River in a 33 ft. long kneelboat. They were searching for different animals, and peaceful natives and were armed if they weren't. Though they did not see a single indian in the beginning. -
Eastablishing Camp
Camp Wood was their winter camp for their Corps. of Discovery on the Wood River. It was the base camp for the expedition and they used it for at least roughly 5 months. Between Dec. 12 1803, and May 14th, 1804. -
The Interpreter and her Husband
When Lewis and Clark were at the site known today as Bismarck, North Dakota. They come across Sacagawea and her Husband Toussaint Charbonneau. Lewis and Clark interview him about his interpreting skills on Hadatsa and aren't very impressed. They are however impressed with Sacagawea's skills for she could speak Shoshone and Hadatsa. She was an immense help to their expedition. She was at least 16 or 17 and 6 months pregnant too! (She had her baby boy Feb. 11th 1805.) -
The Three Forks in the River
Lewis, Clark, and the Corps. of Discovery were about 2,500 miles from their starting point at the Mississippi River.They had a few tough challanges and started with the the rivers names. It had three forks and they decided to name one in honor of the president and two after their cabin members Gallitan and Madison. The second challenge was deciding which river to choose. If they chose wrong, they would have to back track through winter in the Rocky Mountains. They ended sending a small group. -
Most Famous Entry
Clark believes he sees the ocean and writes his famous journal entry: "Ocain in view! O the joy" They were actually 20 miles from the ocean and a storms halted the expeditions for three weeks. (Probably hurricanes). -
The Fort and the Indian
Fort Clatsop is presented to a Clatsop Indian, for which it was named after their tribe. It was only open 24 days during the winter for trading because the Corps. members were miserable from the cold. The fort was mostly for trading "indian trinkets", and After the harsh winter in December, they began their journey home. -
Disbanding
Expedition breaks into small groups to explore more of Louisiana Territory. Clark heads down to Yellowstone River and Lewis heads north towards the Maris River. -
Reuniting
All the parties reunited downstream from the Yellowstone River. They begin their expedition again to the Mandan village. Sacagewea, her husband and a bapist stay behind.. -
Return
Lewis and Clark finally reach St. Louis. Almost the entire population of a 1,000 met them at the riverbank. Most people thought they were dead after 2 and a half years. -
Heroes are Home
They return to D.C. as heroes, recieving double pay and get 1,600 acres of land. Lewis is named governer of Louisiana territory. Clark is made indian agent for the west and commander of the militia. It is said Lewis commited suicide or was murdered but survived a few hours.
