Lewis and Clark essays

Lewis and Clark essays You are children of a great new father, Meriwether Lewis declared to the Native Americans the Corps of Discovery encountered on the expedition that shaped history. Most people tend to think that there isnt enough credit given to Lewis and Clark, but I believe the opposite. Seldom are the Native Americans mentioned that made the Westward expansion of the young United States possible. Although the extensive preparation immensely helped, without the kindness and open minds of most Native Americans, in particular Sacagawea, the Shoshones, Salish, and Nez Perces, the expedition wouldnt have been such a success. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was crossing his fingers upon finding a continuous water route that ran straight through to the Pacific Ocean after he purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. Jefferson felt that the Native Americans were potential trading partners. He asked Congress to fund the expedition; they approved spending $25,000. In 1803, He selected 28-year-old Meriwether Lewis, his private secretary, and Lewis chose his 32-year-old friend William Clark to join him, both formerly in the army, to explore the West in 1804. Their duties were to basically explore the lands, keep detailed journal entries, map regions, and record scientific information about the plants and animals that were home to the west. The perfect men were selected for the adventure; both had numerous talents in several fields. Clark was a skilled frontiersman, first-rate mapmaker, and had substantial knowledge of medicine, despite the fact of limited formal educati on. Lewis in preparation took courses in medicine, botany, Zoology, and celestial observation. Through research, they familiarized themselves with various tribes. Although outstanding skills would aid them, solely they wouldnt guarantee survival. Peace with the inhabitants of the unexplored territory would. Jeffers...