Article+Summaries

The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Jefferson convinces Congress to fund an expedition, and is sending Meriwether Lewis out for exploration. Lewis chose Lieutenant William Clark to be the co-leader of the expedition. They are expected to explore the Missouri River and establish peaceful relations with American Indians who they will encounter. Also they must study with experts about botany, surveying, and other subjects. This is all taken place near St. Louis, near present-day Missouri.

Crossing the Plains
Lewis and Clark are being sent out on an expedition west of the Mississippi River. On this journey, they first traveled up the Missouri River to the Mandan and Sioux (sue) lands. Lewis and Clark were encountering many different tribes, each time Lewis tells the tribal leaders through interpreters that the United States owns the land on which the indians live on. They depend a great deal on the goodwill and help from the Indians they met. Sacagawea (saca-ga-way-a) was some of the most important help to Lewis and Clark. Lewis is writing about the new journey, describing the people, places, and animals they encounter.

To the Pacific and Back
Encountering difficulties, Lewis and Clark struggle on how to get across the Rocky Mountains. Soon enough, they then met the Shoshoni who lives nearby.The Shoshoni provided horses and a guide for help for their traveling. Continuing their expedition, they had followed the Columbia River to the Pacific, which then lead them to finding the border of present-day Washington and Oregon. After this journey, they have still not discovered a new river route to travel across the West to the Pacific Ocean.

Pike's Exploration
Zebulon Pike is being sent on another mission of exploration. He is ordered to find the starting point of the Red River. Pike is leading his small expedition to the Rocky Mountains in present-day Colorado. They climb the mountain known today as Pikes Peak, and struggle across the mountains before reaching Rio Grande. Pike continues to explore, following the course of the river until a group of Spanish cavalry arrested him. Pike then pointed to the Rio Grande and asks, "What, is not this the Red River?" The spanish suspects Pike of being a spy, and sent him to prison. Finally being released, he returns to the United States and reported to us about his trip.