The Expedition of Lewis and Clark

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was one of the most important missions in the history of the United States. The exploration of the uncharted west greatly aided the United States in the discovery of, “some 300 species unknown to science, nearly 50 Indian tribes, and the Rockies” (Lewis and Clark Expedition). The expedition, otherwise known as “the Corps of Discovery” gave the United States a greater understanding of the newly gained western territory. Through the mapping of the Louisiana Territory, the discovery of new species and land, and the greater understanding of the new Indian tribes that was gained, the Lewis and Clark Expedition became an invaluable asset to the future growth of the United States. They managed to accomplish this with only one member of the Corps, Sergeant Charles Floyd, dying along the journey from appendicitis. This expedition was an immensely great accomplishment for the United States. The Corps of Discovery started their journey from Pittsburgh on August 31, 1803. They left with thirty three men, of which included a pilot, seven soldiers, three young men on trial, and Lewis and Clark themselves. As they went along their mission Clark spent the majority of his time mapping the way and charting the course. As the team made its way along the Ohio River and then up the Missouri River Clark was busy charting the course. The maps that Clark made would allow the people back in the east to get a better idea of what the Louisiana Territory was like. Clark’s maps would become a great aid to scholars and others wishing to gain more knowledge on the newly purchased territory. When Thomas Jefferson first sent the Lewis and Clark team to explore the Louisiana Territory and to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean he thought that “woolly mammoths, erupting volcanoes, and a mountain of pure salt awaited them” (Lewis and Clark Expedition). Of course none of these things were found, but what they did discover was not as fabricated but was no less...