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Their ultimate and official goal was the find a continuous water route from the east coast (or at least from the Mississippi River, starting at St. Louis) to the Pacific Ocean. In other words, they were looking for a river that went from one side of America to the other. No such river exists, but they did find a way to get to the Pacific mostly by river. They had to portage (carry their boats overland) before they found the Columbia River, which got them to the Pacific.

They were also hoping to make maps of the western US (which virtually no Americans and very few white people had seen at that point), and to document plants and animals that were new to them, and to establish relations with the native tribes west of the Mississippi.

Thomas Jefferson also hoped to sort of "lay claim" to the western region of the continent by being the first nation to send an extensive exploratory part into it. But just before the Corps of Discovery (as Lewis and Clark's team was called) set off on the journey, the US bought the region through the Louisiana Purchase. Thus, another objective was added to the Corps's mission: to inform the native tribes that they were living in a country called America, and that their "Great Father" (i.e., Thomas Jefferson) wished them well and hoped they would come visit him sometime. This was met with varying degrees of agreeability.

If you're interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition, check out Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose, or The Fate of the Corps: What Became of the Lewis and Clark Explorers After the Expedition by Larry Morris. Both are fascinating and well written. The Ambrose book has several maps showing the paths of the trip. The Morris book has several portraits of the explorers.

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What were the different skills of Lewis and clark that qualified them as co-leaders of the expidition?

Meriwether Lewis was well qualified for the first overland expedition to the Pacific Northwest. Lewis personally chose William Clark to be co-captain of the Corps of Discovery. I hope this helps :)


What did Lewis and clark have to do?

America just bought the great Louisiana purchase was a massive huge purchase. Lewis and Clark were trying to travel and explore there new land. they tried to get to the pacific with using rivers just water they almost completed that (I think try bing.com) But the basics of what they had to do is travel the great Louisiana purchase (With is bigger that Louisiana look it up on Bing images) and they accomplished that with a BIG corp and it was a big journey yet only 1 person died! That's pretty amazing. I hope it helped!


What were some things Lewis and Clark found on their expedition?

They found,buffalo,Indians,prickly pear cacti,mosquitos,grizzly bears,beaver, i don't know if they found those .... um, if you want a more accurate answer, Google national geographic Lewis and clark journal and i think its the first choice. click begin journey and there are numbers and pictures on the top of the map picture. click on them and if you click on the pictures, then they show more information on it. hope it helped :)


What animal did Lewis describe on September 7 1804 and how did they attempt to catch one?

On September 7, 1804, Meriwether Lewis described a prairie dog that they attempted to catch by digging into its burrow with a spade. They were unsuccessful in catching the prairie dog as it escaped through another exit.


Where did Darwin find long necked tortoises?

dunno :) hope i helped! lol i think it was the galapagos islands :)

Related Questions

What were the different skills of Lewis and clark that qualified them as co-leaders of the expidition?

Meriwether Lewis was well qualified for the first overland expedition to the Pacific Northwest. Lewis personally chose William Clark to be co-captain of the Corps of Discovery. I hope this helps :)


Why were Lewis and Clark lucky to have Sacajawea on their expedition?

Because she helped them survive, find new plants,transtalted for Lewis and Clark,and was a guide. I hope that helped alot.


Did Lewis like clark?

i hope so


What did president Jefferson hope that Lewis and Clark expedition would locate.?

Thomas Jefferson was hoping to find a water route through the United States to the Pacific Ocean.


Why did Lewis and clark try ed to find a water route to the pacific ocean?

Lewis and Clark were tasked with exploring the uncharted territory of the Louisiana Purchase and finding a practical route to the Pacific Ocean by water for trade and transportation. The hope was to establish an efficient trade route to Asia and expand the young nation's economic interests.


What did Lewis and Clark hope to find?

Lewis and Clark hoped to find a water route across North America that would connect the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. They also aimed to explore and document the flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples of the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Additionally, they were tasked with establishing trade relationships with Native American tribes and claiming the Pacific Northwest for the United States.


Why did Lewis and Clark bring back animals and plants?

They sent back animals and plants for Thomas Jefferson to study and marvel at. I hope this answered your question!


How do Lewis and Clark felt about Sacagawea?

well at first they felt nothing about her,but then they started to notice that she knew how to lead the way to the northway passage Hope this helps:D


How are the Donner party and the Lewis and Clark expedition similar?

Similarities: -Both were huge expeditions across the continent. -Both could be considered "risky" - the Lewis and Clark for the fact this was completely uncharted territory, the Donner Party for the fact they had never traveled the "shortcut" route before. -Both taught a valuable lesson - Lewis and Clark Expedition, mapped the country, the Donner Party for the risks of moving west. That's all I have, hope it helped!


Why was the accomplishments of Lewis and Clark so important?

im pretty sure because of their contribution in the Louisiana purchase. This is the top of my head i didn't to research hope it helps


Who was the most famous native American that was female?

This is really more a question of opinon, though I'd be inclined to say Sacagawea; she was the guide for Lewis and Clark. Hope I helped!


What was Sacagawea's tribe before she got captured?

Sacagawea was never really captured, she volunteered to go with Lewis and Clark, to help find the new land. Well, other then that, her tribes name was the " Shoshone Tribe". I hope that I have answered your question. Thank you and have a wonderful day.