Lewis and Clark Expedition - One Minute History

President Thomas Jefferson initiated an expedition to explore the western half of the continent, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The Corps of Discovery embarked on an 8,000-mile journey, establishing diplomatic relations and trade with Native American tribes. Although successful, the expedition inadvertently led to the displacement of many Native Americans from their ancestral lands.

What was President Thomas Jefferson's primary goal in commissioning the expedition?

• To establish an American presence in the western territories

• To find a new trade route to Asia

• To map the eastern coast of the United States

• To discover gold and other valuable resources

Who led the Corps of Discovery on their journey?

• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

• Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton

• George Washington and John Adams

How long did the Lewis and Clark expedition last?

• 1 year, 3 months, and 5 days

• 4 years, 1 month, and 20 days

• 3 years, 2 months, and 15 days

• 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days

What was one of the key achievements of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

• Establishing a new state in the west

• Finding a direct route to the Pacific Ocean

• Establishing diplomatic relations with Native American tribes

• Building a new capital city in the west

What was an unintended consequence of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

• The discovery of a new continent

• The invention of new navigation tools

• The displacement of Native Americans from their homelands

• The establishment of a new trade route to Europe