Lewis & Clark’s Expedition
By: Natalie
November 27,2017
Crossing over mountain ranges, looking at beautiful vast land that stretches on for what seems like forever. This was what Lewis and Clark’s expedition was, but a little harder than that. On May 14, 1804 in St. Louis Lewis and Clark started their expedition to explore lands new to the U.S. Though in order for the expedition to actually happen many things tied into it such as the events before the expedition, when the expedition started, the important people that were part of the expedition, and what happened in the expedition overall.
Before the Expedition:
The expedition of Lewis and Clark would have never happened without the Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson, who was president at that time, bought a large piece of land on April 30, 1803 from France. This piece of land was a big thing, it doubled the nation's area. Buying this land was part of Jefferson’s dreams. When Jefferson had bought the land no one knew what it looked like, and they really didn’t notice how much land they had. Since no one really knew what was included in this large piece of land Jefferson knew someone had to figure out what they had gotten. Jefferson picked Lewis to explore the large amount of land because he knew that Lewis was reliable. Then Lewis picked Clark (since they were close friends) to go on the expedition with him. Clark gladly accepted to this task. Then Lewis and Clark packed up and prepared for the journey ahead.
The Expedition Starts:
During the expedition there were many things that happened. The group of explorers packed clothing, food, and some things to trade with Indians. Lewis and Clark and 40 other men walked and walked for miles to explore the new land. The path seemed to stretch on forever to them. While they walked they would see beautiful sights. Clark and all the other men on the expedition longed to see the Pacific Ocean, when they saw it they were amazed by the beautiful sight that they saw. Most of the beautiful sights and other things they saw were new to them. They saw plants, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and more. Mostly all they saw was new to them. Though looking at different beautiful sights was not the only thing that was part of the expedition. The expedition was long and tiring. Mostly all day the group would travel for miles and miles, by boat or at other times walking. Most people would think sitting in a canoe was easy and relaxing, but it was not. Most times canoes would tip over in rapid waters; or the canoe would have leaks in them. Also when this happened some people suffered if they could not swim, or the water was rushing so fast that it would sweep them up. Though the time put into the expedition was very helpful to the U.S.
Important People in the Expedition:
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea all had a large part in the expedition. In fact Sacagawea gave a large contribution to the expedition. Sacagawea was born in May 1788 and died on December 20,1812. Sacagawea was 15 years old when she met Lewis and Clark. In the winter Sacagawea encountered Lewis and Clark. She gave them food, directions, and supplies. Without Sacagawea the expedition would have probably failed. Sacagawea’s directions were very important to the expedition. Also Clark was very important to the expedition, as well as Lewis too. Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18,1774, and died on October 11, 1709. William Clark was born on August 1,1770 and died on September 1,1838. Lewis and Clark would spend time looking at plants or animals and would write information about the things they saw. Lewis and Clark both had journal. Inside their journals were plants and information about the climate, land, and animals. Even though Lewis did not have much exposure to school, his mother taught him many important things. One important thing was curing people that were ill or injured. Clark also had very little exposure to learning at school, though sometimes his older siblings would teach him things. All three of these people played a big part in the expedition.
During the Expedition:
Traveling was not the easiest task. Many times rain would pour down hard while the explorers were walking. It would soak them, right through all their warm and thick clothing. It was also hard to carry things, sometimes if somethings were too heavy they would have to leave some of their possessions behind. The equipment that the explorers had to carry were food, rifles, clothing (that was mostly warm), and things to trade. During the explorers first winter they spent it with the Mandan Nation. This native american group helped them through the winter, and not just the winter throughout their journey. This native american group was the group that Sacagawea was included in. The explorers also suffered from bugs. The bugs would bight, and sometimes make the explorers sick. These bugs were most likely mosquitoes and gnats. The group would make large, but contained, fires to keep the bugs away. The explorers had many different things that went on while they were on the expedition.
Overall, the expedition included many events that were very important. These things all make up the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Many people remember Lewis and Clark’s expedition as just a part of history, though it had many more events than just the expedition were included inside of Lewis and Clark’s expedition. Included inside the expedition was the things that happened before the expedition, the beginning of the expedition, the important people that made the expedition happen, and what the overall expedition.
Bibliography:
Pictures:
Picture of Lewis and Clark-http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-little-known-facts-about-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition
Exploring the Land Picture-http://baucomwestward.weebly.com/lewis-and-clark.html
Books and Information From:
“Lewis and Clark”
Sundling, Charles W. Explorers of the Frontier. Abdo & Daughters, 2002.
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