LEWIS & CLARKTHE GREAT JOURNEY

By Claire Hamilton

LOUISIANA PURCHASE

The Louisiana purchase was the start of the journey to the west. It doubled the United States in size. It was the best land deal in history by a price of about 3 cents an acre. Thomas Jefferson bought it without thinking twice and immediately sent explorers off to prepare to explore their vast new land.

LEWIS & CLARK

Lewis & Clark were the journey’s captains. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was a friend of Thomas Jefferson. Before he went on the journey he was a soldier. William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was also a soldier. He grew up in Kentucky and was born in Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson gave the

explorers their goals. Lewis and

Clark were given orders to make

friends with the Indians, find a

Northwest passage, and learn

about new animals and plants.

THE GOALS

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States

(1801–1809)

THE SUPPLIES

The Corps of Discovery spent a total of $2,324 on the supplies. Some of the things they took with them: A 55-foot (17-meter) keelboat for transportation 10.5 Pounds (5 kilograms) of fishing hooks and

fishing lines for fishing 15 pairs of wool overalls for clothing 50 Dozen Dr. Rush's patented "Rush's

Thunderclapper" pills for medicine Kentucky Rifles for fire arms A hand compass for mathematical instruments Ivory combs for presents for the Indian tribes

encountered Map of the Great Bend of the Missouri River for

navigation

The journey went through Iowa, Montana, Kansas, Illinois,

Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho,

Oregon, and Washington. They traveled on the Missouri river

then hiked over the Rocky Mountains.

THE ROUTE

SACAGAWEA

Sacagawea was the mother of

John Baptist and also a

translator and guide. She was a

key member of the journey.

Many times she risked her life to

save the day. She was 16. One

time they lost control of the boat

and Sacagawea managed to save

everything.

NEW DISCOVERIES

The expedition discovered many new plants and animals such as:

Black tailed prairie dog

Camas flower

Grizzly Bear Purple prairie-clover

Coyote Butter and egg plant

Sage grouse Black gooseberry

Deer Lewis' blue flax

SEAMAN GETS BIT

One day the expedition came across a giant beaver. They

told Seaman, Lewis's dog, to fetch it but it bit Seaman and

got away! Seaman was injured badly but Sacagawea nursed

him back to health.

PIERRE HUNTS LEWISES

One day near-sighted Pierre and Lewis were

hunting elk, and decided to split up.

As Lewis was about to shoot an elk, he was

shot by something! A bullet went right

through both of his buttocks! When he found

it was one of Pierre’s bullets, he said to

Pierre, “Pierre, did you shoot me?”

“No!” Pierre answered. Lewis laughed and

did not punish Pierre but accepted his

apology.

THE PRAIRIE DOG HUNT

When the explorers found a

village of prairie dogs, they

were enchanted by the little

guys and immediately set out

to catch one. They worked for

hours, usually with only one

person to guard the boat. They

finally caught one and gave it

live to Thomas Jefferson.

CONCLUSION

The explorers never found what they sought most, a

Northwest Passage, but they had a huge impact on

our future and the heart of this great nation.

THANK YOU