Louisiana Purchase/Lewis & Clark
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France. The U.S. purchased 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for a sum of $15 million from France in 1803. This was one of the best accomplishments of President Thomas Jefferson. The purchase was an important and strategic acquisition by the U.S. because navigation of the Mississippi River and access to the port of New Orleans was an essential part of trade with other countries. The Louisiana Territory extended from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the Canadian border in the north. This effectively doubled the size of the United States.
In May of 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an expedition across the Louisiana territory as commissioned by Thomas Jefferson. They traveled through harsh environments and unknown landscapes to discover and explore new regions. They made entries in journals, detailing maps, describing natural wonders and kept accounts of the people of the land. Sacagawea was a female Native American interpreter who helped guide the two men and their groups on their journey. The expedition was completed in 1806. Lewis and Clark are considered the world's two greatest explorers in history. Their partnership and learning through exploration is a valuable lesson even today.
In May of 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an expedition across the Louisiana territory as commissioned by Thomas Jefferson. They traveled through harsh environments and unknown landscapes to discover and explore new regions. They made entries in journals, detailing maps, describing natural wonders and kept accounts of the people of the land. Sacagawea was a female Native American interpreter who helped guide the two men and their groups on their journey. The expedition was completed in 1806. Lewis and Clark are considered the world's two greatest explorers in history. Their partnership and learning through exploration is a valuable lesson even today.