Zebulon Pike's Expedition and Legacy

Zebulun Pike, a military explorer, spotted a mountain during his expedition, later named Pike's Peak. His explorations in the Louisiana Territory began before Lewis and Clark returned. Despite challenges, Pike led a second mission to explore the Red and Arkansas Rivers. He underestimated the Rockies' size, leading to struggles in harsh conditions. Spanish soldiers captured and escorted him to Santa Fe, providing a strategic tour. Pike's writings gained fame but little money. He was later appointed brigadier general and died in the War of 1812.

What was the name of the mountain Zebulun Pike spotted during his expedition?

• Blue Cloud Mountain

• Pike's Peak

• Rocky Mountain

• Mount Everest

Before which famous explorers did Pike begin his explorations?

• Cook and Drake

• Amundsen and Scott

• Columbus and Magellan

• Lewis and Clark

What languages did Zebulun Pike teach himself?

• Portuguese and Dutch

• Russian and Chinese

• German and Italian

• Spanish and French

Who selected Pike to lead the expedition to explore the Mississippi headwaters?

• Thomas Jefferson

• General James Wilkinson

• Meriwether Lewis

• William Clark

What did Pike underestimate about the mountain he spotted?

• Its location

• Its height and distance

• Its beauty

• Its name

What natural challenges did Pike and his men face during their expedition?

• Snow and sub-zero temperatures

• Flooding

• Desert heat

• Tropical storms

Who saved Pike and his men when they were lost?

• Native Americans

• French traders

• Spanish soldiers

• British explorers

What did the Spanish soldiers provide Pike with during his capture?

• Supplies for the journey

• A guide to the Red River

• A tour of Santa Fe

• A map of the region

What was the outcome of Pike's written account of his expedition?

• It made him wealthy

• It gained him some fame

• It was never published

• It was a bestseller

How did Zebulun Pike die?

• In a shipwreck

• In an explosion during the War of 1812

• In a duel

• From illness