In 1803, the young United States made a significant purchase from France, acquiring over 800,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River. This acquisition nearly doubled the size of the country, much of which remained uncharted territory. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis, a military officer and his private secretary, to map this new land and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis then recruited his friend William Clark, and together, they embarked on a 2½-year exploration expedition, returning home on September 23, 1806.
The Corps of Discovery
The official name of President Jefferson’s expedition with Lewis and Clark was the Corps of Discovery. This remarkable journey, which marked the army’s first formal diplomatic mission, had several objectives. Jefferson requested an official exploration and mapping of the newly acquired territory. He also aimed to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean and to gather scientific and cultural information.
The Corps of Discovery consisted of a crew of 33 members, including soldiers, hunters, and interpreters. An invaluable member of the crew was Sacagawea, a native Shoshone woman. She served as a translator for the Corps when they encountered Native tribes and played a crucial role in establishing trust with them.
Accomplishments
Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery achieved great success during their expedition. They traveled over 8,000 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Pacific Ocean and back. This journey enabled them to create over 140 detailed maps of the region, which helped establish the initial routes for American westward expansion. Although they were unable to find a water route to the Pacific, they did provide a land route to President Jefferson.
Lewis and Clark discovered and documented over 100 new animal species during their expedition, including the grizzly bear, prairie dog, and mountain goat. Additionally, they cataloged more than 200 new plant species. With the assistance of Sacagawea, the Corps established positive and peaceful relationships with numerous Native tribes. They documented the customs, traditions, and ways of life of the people they encountered.
Long-Term Impact of the Expedition
The success of the Lewis and Clark expedition inspired many citizens in the young country by demonstrating that the exploration of new territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase was possible. This achievement fueled curiosity about the western part of the nation and encouraged many people to travel west in search of settlement opportunities. The journey of the Corps of Discovery paved the way for American settlement. It contributed to the concept of Manifest Destiny, which, in turn, brought both positive and negative consequences for the nation.