Westward Expansion The Louis and Clark expedition best represents the start to Westward expansion following the end of the American Revolution in 1783. The Westward expansion began when Thomas Jefferson strived for expansion in order to form trade routes from the Atlantic to Pacific. The expedition of Louis and Clark took a total of 2 years and 4 months, covering 8,000 miles. They traveled the Missouri and Columbia river until they reached their destination. The long time period of travel had a tremendous effect on American history and society. In Captain Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition, they successfully made it across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, opening the previously occupied western region for trade routes. Their unforgettable adventure led to the first reports of the American West. Over the course of the exhibition Lewis and Clark interacted with almost 50 different tribes. The trail of tears, fewer than 10 tribes were interacted with and they were just forced to move. While exploring the land …show more content…
It kindled westward expansion, started the disposition of American Indians and changed nature. It was more than removal of Indians, but becoming familiar with this new purchase of land. It was a turning point from the “Euro-American” perspective. Previous to the Exhibition the united states was only 17 states and 4 territories. During the adventure Clark drew maps of the west and Lewis recorded details about mammals and plants they encountered. Both kept a sort of diaries or written journals including the Indian encounters. The exhibition gained knowledge of western geography and the Native people. This knowledge fueled the American Fur trade and encouraged mountain men to make discoveries and inspired the Government to explore more in the west. As more exploration occurred, the more appealing settling in the West
Lewis and Clark were known for an incredible journey that changed US history. The journey increased the size of the US dramatically. From May 14, 1804, to September 23, 1806, a dangerous but yet history changing exploration occurred. Through many dangerous situations and hardships, the expedition of Lewis and Clark turned out a success.
Jefferson along with many of Americans wanted the expedition to start so he tried many times and made many sacrifices for it to be started. Thomas and Jefferson had tried many times to get the journey started to explore westward but everyone he sent before Lewis and Clark had died so he did not want to start another expedition but America needed to expand and needed the resources that could have been westward so he allowed Lewis to start the expedition. The north and the south had different views of what the new land westward could be used for, the majority of the south said, “They looked to west for new and cheaper lands, especially in the rich virgin soil beyond the mountains.” and the north also said, “western empire could serve as a vast reservation for the Indians displaced from the east of the river. There they could learn to farm and become civilized, so that they could be incorporated into the body of the politic.”
In 1803, Lewis and Clark set on a journey to the Pacific Ocean so that they could find a waterway connecting the ocean and the Missouri River. This expedition would change many americans lives and this would make the United States a populated country. This would teach people about land that nobody has any idea about. This would give people an idea of where they are living.
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led thirty-three people on the most dangerous journey west from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. Those leaders commanded the Corps of Discovery through starvation in the Rockies, created peace between natives and white men, and achieved an unparalleled exploration that mankind has never repeated. Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lewis was an avid outdoorsman in his childhood; he spent his time hunting and exploring. After his childhood exploring, he became more comfortable with being out away from civilization.
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are well-known for their exploration westward in an effort to expand the United States territory. Lewis and Clark were charged with exploring the Louisiana territory, mapping the territory and water routes, recording land resources, establishing trade with the Native American people, and claiming the land in the West for the United States. During the expedition, Lewis and Clark had encounters with over 50 different Native American tribes, and in order to expand in the West, Thomas Jefferson encouraged Lewis and Clark to treat the Native American Indians in a friendly and non-hostile manner. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were respectful to the Native Americans because they learned about each tribe’s culture,
It offered a new wonder, which had not been seen since immigration to America. We had no idea what the West would hold or what opportunities we would find. We not only traveled to the Pacific Ocean, like President Jefferson wanted, but we also ascertained great scientific discoveries. In some ways, the West was conquered because of this expedition. We see a great migration West after the expedition is over, in which the old goes out and the new comes in.
With mention to all of the following text, including “There Is No True History of the Westward Expansion”, Morgan’s emphasis is clear that big and small, heroes and villains and thousands of figures claimed a huge role in westward expansion. In the early 1800’s in the United States, Thomas Jefferson, David Crockett, Kit Carson, other famous figures, and the thousands of unnamed and un-heard of Americans in the United States at the time played huge roles in expanding America’s territory in the Westward Expansion movement to gain America new land and new opportunities and to gain the birth rights Americans rightfully earned by standing up for what they believed in and following their strong leaders such as Jefferson. History see’s achievements
George Rogers Clark once said: “If a country were not worth protecting, it was not worth claiming.” Nearly everyone knows how the United States gained recognition as an independent nation after the Revolutionary War. George Washington and his men fought to free the States in the East; however, few people know the story of how the country swelled in size. During the Revolutionary War, the actions of George Rogers Clark’s expedition, west of the Appalachian mountains, would later prove necessary for peace and expansion of the country’s frontiers. The future conqueror of the West grew up in Virginia, one of ten children of John Clark and Ann Rogers.
The Lewis and Clark expedition which took place between 1804 and 1806 is one of the most iconic events in American history. It was a journey of discovery, exploration, and scientific inquiry, and it helped to establish the United States claim to the Pacific Northwest. Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the expedition was a remarkable achievement, and its impact on American society and culture. The expedition began in the spring of 1804 when Lewis and Clark along with a group of about forty men set out from St. Louis, Missouri on a mission to explore the western territories of the United States.
Envisaging the West: Thomas Jefferson and the Roots of Lewis and Clark." Envisaging the West: Thomas Jefferson and the Roots of Lewis and Clark. Ed. Douglas Seefeldt. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first American exploration across the western part of the United States. They were known as the “Corps”. While exploring Lewis and Clark encountered a with Native American tribe. The tribe exchanged knowledge, ideas, and items to help Lewis and Clark with their journey. Their exploration find a practical route across the Western half of the continent.
In Corps of Discover, 2016, “Although it was not successful, “Lewis and Clark achieved an impressive record of peaceful cooperation with the Indians and generated American interest in the fur trade” (Corps of Discover, 2016). On April 7, 1805 the Lewis and Clark exploration provided all gathered information from the trip and sent it to Missouri making the expedition results vitally important to the nations growth by providing information from the crews hard work (Corps of Discover, 2016). As rightfully noted in The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 2016, “The Lewis and Clark Expedition are often called the greatest adventure in American history. ”(The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 2016), and as
Would you move Westward? The Westward Expansion is when several of people moved West for the gold rush. Not many people become rich! Many people do go though! I would stay and not move Westward because it’s difficult and might die/get injured, I might not find gold, and it’s a long journey!
In conclusion, the westward expansion was one of the most important times in American history but one of the hardest for those who made the journey. The settlers had to go through a lot of hardships to get a new life in the west. The Gold Rush helped bring people to the west and populate California so it became a state. People such as Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark helped explore the new terrain and make maps so people could live there. Even though the pioneers got diseases, had conflicts with the Native Americans, and had to travel for long periods of time in a ship or covered wagon, they never gave up hope.
The Westward Expansion all started when America made the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There were many benefits from the purchase for the US that the French didn’t realize before they sold it. The purchase gave the US access to the Mississippi river which allowed for expansion of river trade to the North and South from the center of the US. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. The US sent Lewis and Clark west to investigate the land they purchased.