Lewis' and Clark's journals of the expedition describe the Natural Resources and native peoples of the West and contain information on many scientific matters. Over the two year journey, the expedition had made more discoveries of landscapes, rivers, native cultures, zoology, and botany of North America than any scientific expedition. Their results/contributions were many and lasting.
One of the most significant contributions of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a better perception of the geography of the Northwest and the production of the first accurate maps of the area. During the journey, Lewis and Clark prepared approximately 140 maps.
A second achievement of the expedition was a better understanding of the country's natural resources. During the journey, they were able to find and categorize 122 new animals and 178 plants.
The Lewis and Clark expedition did not gain any land for the United States. The expedition was sent to explore land that was recently purchased from France. The area was known as Louisiana territory.
Sacagawea was helpful to Lewis and clark because she was their interpreter. She found routes for them. Her being with them led other natives to gain trust towards them.
The Chinook were first noticed generally by Lewis and Clark in 1805, and afterwards were greatly diminished in numbers by diseases brought by white trades. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was the first overland expedition undertaken by the United States to the Pacific coast and back. The expedition team was headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and assisted by Sacajawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. The expedition's goal was to gain an accurate sense of the resources being exchanged in the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition laid much of the groundwork for the Westward Expansion of the United States.
Lewis and Clark gained the trust of native tribes through diplomatic exchanges, gift-giving, and demonstrating their peaceful intentions. They also relied on the assistance of their Native American guide, Sacagawea, who helped foster communication and understanding between the expedition and indigenous peoples.
"Pomp" or "Little Pompy" was the nickname given to Sacajawea's baby boy, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau who was born on February 11, 1805. William Clark became very fond of the child and gave him the affectionate name. After the expedition, Clark would later raise and educate Jean Baptiste and eventually gain full custody of him and his sister after the death of their mother.
Sacagewea helped Lewis and Clark on their journey through the western United States. She knew her way around and was very helpful when native american tribes came up. Lewis and Clark wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Some of the areas in the northwestern U.S. probably wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her.
2,500 meters
less then 500 meters
It was bought from France when Napoleon needed lots of money to fund his wars in Europe.
Jefferson hoped to establish peaceful relations and trade with the Indian tribes, gain information about the land and resources of the western territories, and assert American sovereignty over the region. Lewis and Clark also aimed to gather scientific and geographical knowledge while mapping the newly acquired territory for future exploration and settlement.
Lewis and Clark gained the trust of Native American tribes through respectful communication, the exchange of gifts, and the demonstration of their intentions. They approached tribes with diplomacy, often showing interest in their cultures and ways of life. By establishing friendly relations and ensuring mutual respect, they were able to foster cooperation and assistance during their expedition. Their willingness to listen and learn from the tribes also played a crucial role in building trust.
Considering the Lewis and Clark expedition, the fact that they were part of a scientific expedition was extremely important, especially during the Age of Enlightenment. The new knowledge they obtained about the Northwest's geography, natural resources, and native inhabitants sparked American interest in the west, and strengthened the nation's claim to the area. It also gave Americans a sense of pride at a time when they badly needed symbols of national triumph. Americans at this time realized that their new nation was still very much divided and relatively weak and Lewis and Clark's adventure offered Americans proof that the men of their nation could accomplish great deeds amidst enormous hardships. Also spread was the idea of 'Manifest Destiny' as Americans increasingly assumed a continental destiny. This opened many door for poor families to go out and prosper throughout the late nineteenth century. However this also led to many Native Americans and earlier Hispanic settlers to be dispossessed, along with the great number of buffalo that Lewis and Clark themselves saw and were amazed by.