Comparing The Contributions Of The Lewis And Clark Expedition

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Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson initiated an exploration of the newly purchased land and the territory in the West. Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis, his personal secretary at the time, to lead the Expedition; Lewis in turn sought the help of William Clark, who was an adept frontiersman. Jefferson’s objective was for the men and their team (Corps of Discovery), to find a water route linking the Columbia and Missouri rivers, which could potentially connect the Pacific Ocean with the Mississippi River system, creating access between the newly acquired western land and eastern U.S cities. Jefferson also wanted information about the flora, fauna, and peoples of the region.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition launched

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