Thomas Jefferson had dreamed of exploring the West for at least 20 years before he even became President. In 1783 he had even asked William Clark's brother, George, to take on the challenge. The Louisiana Purchase would later alter the character of the planned expedition from an exploration of French territory to a first glimpse of lands that, in the view of many contemporaries, were essential to maintaining the agrarian, republican character of the nation.
The Louisiana Territory had been a land purchase transaction by the United States of America of 828,800 square miles of the French territory "Louisiane" in 1803. The U.S. paid 60 million francs ($11,250,000) plus cancellation of debts worth 18 million francs ($3,750,000), a total cost of $15,000,000 for the Louisiana Territory. After finally purchasing the Louisiana Territory, Jefferson asked Lewis to go on the journey. Jefferson then requested $2500 from Congress to pay for the costs of the trip.
President Thomas Jefferson. It was 1803.
Meriwether Lewis was in charge and William Clark came as his assistant. But the Lewis And Clark Expedition is still know as The Lewis And Clark Expedition.
Lewis & Clark began their expedition in 1804.
Thomas Jefferson
Lewis and Clark did, hence the expedition's name. Clark was supposed to be second banana, but Lewis wanted him to co-lead the expedition. Lewis let Clark co-lead as soon as they left.
to explore the vast Louisiana Territory
Thomas Jefferson was president at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. infact, he sent Lewis out to explore and Lewis chose Clark to come along. So, Thomas Jefferson had a huge influence on the expedition.
Jefferson
President Jefferson needed Lewis and Clark to map the Louisiana Territory and to explore it.
Aeris Reed
President Thomas Jefferson. It was 1803.
Before the expedition, Meriwether Lewis served as a personal secretary and aide to President Thomas Jefferson, while William Clark was a US Army officer who had experience in cartography and leading expeditions.
Meriwether Lewis was in charge and William Clark came as his assistant. But the Lewis And Clark Expedition is still know as The Lewis And Clark Expedition.
President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition, not long after he bought the Louisiana territory from Napoleon.
Lewis and Clark are the captains of this expedition
There was a disease in the Lewis and Clark expedition
They were paid to do it by President Thomas Jefferson