Lewis and Clark refers to the names of two explorers - Meriwether Lewis and William Clark - who are credited with leading the Corps of Discovery expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. Their primary objective was to explore and map the newly acquired western territory of the United States, known as the Louisiana Purchase.
Meriwether Lewis was the leader of the expedition, chosen for his intelligence and scientific background. William Clark, a skilled frontiersman and soldier, served as the expedition's co-leader. The objective of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to find a route to the Pacific Ocean, establish trade with Native American tribes, and document the natural resources, wildlife, and geography of the region.
The expedition began in May 1804, starting from St. Louis and following the Missouri River. They faced various challenges and overcame harsh conditions, ranging from dangerous river rapids and encounters with Native American tribes to lack of food and extreme weather. They successfully reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805, having covered around 8,000 miles.
The expedition resulted in valuable knowledge about the western region of the United States, including new information on geography, plants, animals, and Native American tribes. The journals and maps produced by Lewis and Clark greatly expanded the understanding of the continent and helped pave the way for future exploration and settlement of the American West.
