Ambrose tells an in depth story of Meriwether Lewis’ journey from childhood to becoming Thomas Jefferson’s choice as leader of the expedition to the Pacific. Meriwether Lewis was Virginia born, “...in a time of independence and where the West provided exploration and East provided education and knowledge.” Lewis grew up in a family of explorers and land owners which made them particularly rich. His father died from pneumonia when he was 5 years old and his mother remarried Captain John Marks. Lewis always had a very close relationship with his mother. Whenever he was traveling throughout the new America, he would always take time to write letters to her, especially when he knew he wouldn’t be able to send more letters for a while. He always …show more content…
For the next year he spent time doing research on all the things that would be involved in the expedition. During this time, he decided how many men he would need, how big of a boat and with what design, what medicines, and also what instruments and books were necessary. Lewis did not just decide what to bring, but he took this time to learn many of the skills that he would need to use over the course of the journey. After a year, he had learned about botany, medicine, mathematics and fossils, as well as how to use all the scientific instruments that would be taken. Lewis was extremely meticulous in preparing for his more than two year voyage and this is partly why Jefferson chose him. Jefferson gave Lewis permission to find a co-captain for the journey. Lewis chose William Clark for this position. While in the military, Lewis met Clark, the captain of the Chosen Rifle Company, where they became friends and admirers of each other. Lewis chose Clark even though they had only known each other for six months. Lewis felt Clark could be helpful in places where he wasn’t the strongest. “In general in areas where Lewis was shaky, Clark was strong, and vice
Thesis Statement: Lewis and Clark took a journey that would last over 3 years, and made many discoveries about the plants and wildlife, they met Sacagawea who translated and her presents allowed for better communication to open trade with the Indians, but also gained knowledge for maps that would be used for future exploration. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the land gained from the Louisiana Purchase and to let the native American Indians of that area know there was a new presidency. President Jefferson wanted them to record their findings; animals, plants, and locations. Lewis and Clark took a journey that would last over 3 years, and made many discoveries about the plants and wildlife, they met Sacagawea who translated and her presents allowed for better communication to open trade with the Indians, but also gained knowledge for maps that would be used for future exploration.
It is September of 1806, we finally got back from the two year and four months expedition, it began on May of 1804. This expedition is a fact finding mission, the expedition began in St. Louis traveled to Pacific Ocean and back to St. Louis. I don’t know how we made it through these years I am so happy I went through this expedition with Meriwether Lewis, Sacagawea, William Clark, and more. We were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson the third president of the United States of America. Lewis and Clark expedition was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION Introduction What was the expedition? Who is William Clark and Meriwether Lewis? Why was the expedition important?
It was thomas jefferson's newly owned land and his will to explore it he decided to send explorers across it in which he named the corps of discovery. The heads of the group were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. When starting the expedition meriwether lewis bought many gifts for the indians such as beads, coats, fabrics, and hats that could hopefully help convince the indians to be relatively good friends with the explorers and our country. When the expedition started exploring in 1803 they started down the Mississippi river on three ships and didn’t run into any american indians. as they traveled they learned about many new things such as minerals and plants so far unknown to science and eventually sent a care package back to president Jefferson on one of the three ships to show him all the new scientific discoveries that the expedition had made.
People normally wouldn’t think about the importance that two people had on this world from over 200 years ago. Have you ever thought about the impact that these two men, Lewis and Clark had on our world, and how they might’ve changed things for the United States? Most likely not. These two men set out on a journey that lasted 2 years and 4 months to search for a land route to the Pacific, to strengthen American claims to the Oregon territory, also to gather more information about the inhabitants and country of the Far West. You may not think these two men have any importance to today but, they discovered many things that this world knows today.
Clark was a map maker he drew all maps we have from that expedition, he also was a writer he wrote everything that they discovered down with Lewis, he also was a people person he got along with a lot of the tribes people. Clark was an enthusiastic person he was very happy and excited, Clark was also careful he made sure he made all the maps right and to write in his journal almost every day Clark made Maps so I think this would be his greatest tribute contribute to America our other leader was Lewis he had military training this means he was strong. Another skill he had was he was a good leader he control all of us and told us what to do. Another skill he had was he was good with tools he could navigate unfamiliar land with his tools.
Also, Lewis tried to publish his journals that him and Clark wrote during the
Lewis chose a good friend of his, William Clark, to help out and decided Clark should be the commander of the journey. Their expedition began in May, 1804 near St. Louis, Missouri. They went through many hardships such as harsh weather, illnesses, rough waters, starvation, and injuries. Throughout their expedition, Lewis kept a journal and collected samples of plants and animals he came across. They finally reached the Pacific Ocean in November, 1805, and spent that winter in Oregon.
His actions proved that by abusing the ties of teamwork, he underwent the consequences of not following the orders established by the team. Lastly, Lewis held the position of Captain and Clark was the Lieutenant (Textbook) and although they held different rankings, they divided up power and shared leadership so well that no one knew Lewis had more control over the team than Clark. Therefore, the Corps of Discovery displayed a combined effort towards accomplishing their goal of charting the Northwest and their ability to stay loyal to one another was their greatest
Also, William was born in Caroline County, Virginia, and when he grew up he fought like his brother. Moreover, William Clark was a creative person, he was never formally schooled, nevertheless he was successful. Since he was formally schooled, he did more creative/adventurous things, For instance, he joined the army, and went on an exploration. These things show that he is adventurous, if he wasn’t adventurous he never would have gone on the expedition, so it is important that he had that trait. He was also respectful because even though Lewis was very different from him, they never argued.
Thomas Jefferson’s Instructions to Meriwether Lewis discussed the appointment of Lewis as commander of the expedition, gave specific details of the purpose of the exploration, and provided directions for Lewis to follow when carrying out the trip. Thomas Jefferson carefully selected his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to be the commander of the Expedition and trusted that he would be able to perform the tasks assigned to him. Jefferson requested that an abundant amount of precise notes be taken and that they be protected at all costs. He was interested in learning about the people occupying the land, their culture, the ecosystems, and the land. In addition to note taking, treating the Native Americans with respect and peace was important
Jefferson who was so enthralled with the land he sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the land and record their findings on the Territory. While on their journey the two men encountered a woman named Sacajawea who assisted the men in going through the new land. Both men travelled nearly 3,000 miles in two and a half years with a collection of vegetation. The purchase of the Louisiana Territory had given the additional 828,000
Although, we had many near death experiences, we survived as heroes. On May 16, 1805, we were crossing water, when one of our boats almost capsized, but luckily Sacajawea saved it, along with our most important possessions. Sometime in November of 1805, Lewis dispatched George Shannon, and myself to scout territory along the Columbia River. We did so, and camped with the Chinook Indians.
Jefferson had doubts about legality of the Louisiana Purchase. The treaty did not state the boundaries that both countries had. Jefferson requested for congress to approve a $2,500 for the exploratory expedition to the west. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a way that Jefferson would hope that Lewis and Clark would find a water route that linked the Columbia and Missouri rivers. At that time
In the year 1802, President Thomas Jefferson and Meriwether lewis come across a book where the author, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, traveled through Canada to the Pacific ocean. Fascinated by