The Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark Copy the notes in red on your own paper.
The Corps of Discovery The Lewis and Clark expedition began in 1803. President Thomas Jefferson had purchased all of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon of France for 15 million dollars. Jefferson asked his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to lead the expedition. Lewis asked his old army friend, William Clark, to co-lead the expedition with him.
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States!
Purpose of the Expedition The purpose of the expedition was to explore the new territory, and: To find a water route to the Pacific-Northwest Passage To learn about the Native Americans customs and culture To write about & draw new discovered animals & plants To learn about the climate, soil, and terrain of the land
Captain Meriwether Lewis Meriwether Lewis was born in 1774. He joined the army at 20 years old. He was made President Jefferson’s personal secretary in 1801. Jefferson asked Lewis to lead and the Corps of Discovery. Lewis was the scientist on the journey, keeping detailed records of the plants and animals they found.
William Clark William Clark was born in 1770 and at 19 joined the military. Clark met Meriwether Lewis when they were both in the army. Lewis asked Clark to help him lead the expedition across the country. Clark was the geographer on the trip, keeping a detailed diary including many drawings and maps.
Toussaint Charbonneau Toussaint Charbonneau was a French Canadian fur trader. He had lived among the Indians since 1796. He had a captive Shoshone Indian wife. She had been captured by a Hidatsa war party about 1800, and sold as a slave to Charbonneau. Her name was Sacagawea. She was approximately 16 years old in 1804. Charbonneau would act as interpreter during the expedition.
Sacagawea Sacagawea was 12 when she was kidnapped and sold into slavery and about 16 when she married Charbonneau. Sacagawea’s name means “Bird Woman” and she would serve as interpreter on the journey. Sacagawea had a son during the expedition.
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau Jean Baptiste Charbonneau was the son of Toussaint Charbonneau and Sacagawea. She gave birth to him on the expedition. He became the youngest explorer on the Corps of Discovery. Clark nicknamed him “Pompy.”
York York was Clark’s childhood companion and his slave. We know he was big. We know he was very athletic. He was a great dancer. He was devoted to William Clark. York was a great help to the expedition. York was finally set free ten years after the expedition ended.
Seaman Seaman was captain Lewis’s dog. Lewis wrote often in his journal about Seaman. “T]he squirrel appears in great abundance on either side of the river. I made my dog take as many each day as I had occasion for, they were fat and I thought them…a pleasant food.” Nothing is known of what happened to Seaman after the expedition.
Short Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCPR_VR2nzk
Now let’s take a closer look at the expedition…
Artifacts of Lewis and Clark Directions: Analyze the journal entries and photographs of items related to Lewis and Clark’s journey. Discuss these with your group. Choose four (4) of the most interesting journal entries (at least one must refer to Sacagawea) and four (4) of the most interesting artifacts. Explain how each relates to how the Corps of Discovery experienced the expedition by recording evidence and constructing meaning (explanation) on your t-chart.
Artifacts of Lewis and Clark (examples recording on your t-chart)
Preview What do you imagine the Corp of Discovery experienced on their journey? What do you imagine they brought with them?
Assessment: “Investigating Lewis & Clark” Storyboard Assignment Create a 4-panel storyboard that answers the question, “How did the Corp of Discovery experience the expedition to the Pacific?” Use your evidence/meaning notes to assist. Refer to the assignment guidelines for more information.