How many expeditions west were there before Lewis and Clark?

Answer 1

Before the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804-1806, there were several notable expeditions that explored the western territories of the United States. Some of the key expeditions included the journeys of explorers like Meriwether Lewis, who undertook preliminary explorations in 1803, and the earlier expeditions of figures such as Zebulon Pike in 1805 and William Dunbar in 1804. Additionally, prior to these, explorers like Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in the 1540s and later, explorers such as the Spanish and French, had ventured into parts of the western territories, providing early accounts of the region. However, Lewis and Clark's expedition was the first comprehensive exploration of the Louisiana Territory following the 1803 purchase.