1. Lewis and Clark

2. Meriwether Lewis Born 1774 in Virginia Family friends with the Jefferson family Joined the army at the age of 20 President Thomas Jefferson’s Personal Secretary

3. William Clark Born 1770 in Virginia Ended up moving to Kentucky Joined the US Army at the age of 21, left at the age of 26

4. Louisiana Purchase (1803) Bought from French (Napoleon) for 15 million USD Doubled the territory of the United States

5. 1804 Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark to document the geography, wildlife and Native American peoples (Corps of Discovery) Northwest Passage Traveled from St. Louis to today’s North Dakota, where they wintered Hired several French hunters

6. Sacagawea C. 1788-1812 Kidnapped at age twelve from her Shoshone tribe Married at age thirteen to Toussaint Charbonneau Was crucial to the Corps as a translator and a guide to the western lands

7. 1805 Traveled along the southern side of the Missouri River Passing over the Rockies almost proved fatal, but they were saved by the Nez Perce (today’s Idaho) Traveled by water down the Snake and Columbia rivers Arrived on Pacific coast November 15

8. 1806 Journey home to East Coast Split at present day Missoula, Montana on July 3 rd – Clark traveled through southern Montana to Yellowstone River – Lewis studied tributaries into Missouri Reunited at Yellowstone August 12 th Arrived at St. Louis September 23rd

9. Results Didn’t find the Northwest Passage (it doesn’t exist) Traveled 8000 miles Brought back maps and documented information Opened up the new territory to eager settlers