What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was primarily aimed at exploring the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, which the United States had purchased from France in 1803. This expedition, sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson, sought to gather detailed information about the geography, biology, and the indigenous peoples of the region.

By exploring this vast area, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark aimed to chart the land and find practical routes that could facilitate westward expansion and settlement. The knowledge gained from this expedition significantly contributed to the understanding of the American landscape, its resources, and the various Native American tribes inhabiting these territories. This information would prove vital as the nation continued to grow and expand westward in the following decades.

While there were other motivations such as the hope of finding a Northwest Passage, the key focus was on the exploration of the Louisiana Territory itself.