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The journey of the Corps of Discovery to map the new western lands.
Imagine being asked to walk across a giant map that hasn't even been drawn yet, through mountains and rivers no one you know has ever seen. How would you find your way back home?
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought a massive piece of land called the Louisiana Purchase. It doubled the size of the United States! Jefferson picked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead a team called the Corps of Discovery. They had three big goals: first, find a water route to the Pacific Ocean (the Northwest Passage); second, make friends with Native American tribes; and third, write down everything they saw, from the soil to the stars.
To prepare for the journey, the team had to pack carefully. 1. They gathered pounds of food, including flour and salt pork. 2. They packed gifts like beads and mirrors to trade with tribes. 3. They brought scientific tools like compasses to map the miles they would eventually travel.
Quick Check
What was the name of the group led by Lewis and Clark?
Answer
The Corps of Discovery
The expedition might have failed without a Shoshone teenager named Sacagawea. She joined the group as a translator. Because she was traveling with a baby, Native American tribes knew the explorers were peaceful, not a war party. Sacagawea helped the men find edible plants like camas roots and recognized landmarks from her childhood. Most importantly, she helped them trade for horses to cross the steep Rocky Mountains.
When the group met the Shoshone tribe, they needed to talk to the Chief. 1. Lewis spoke English to a member of the crew. 2. That crew member translated it into French for Sacagawea's husband. 3. Her husband translated it into Hidatsa for Sacagawea. 4. Sacagawea finally translated it into Shoshone for the Chief!
Quick Check
Give one reason why Sacagawea's presence made the group look peaceful.
Answer
She was traveling with a baby, and war parties did not usually bring women and children.
As they traveled, Lewis and Clark were like scientists in the wild. They discovered over new plants and new animals! They saw grizzly bears, which were much bigger and fiercer than the black bears they knew back east. They also found prairie dogs, which they called 'barking squirrels.' They even sent a live prairie dog back to President Jefferson in a box!
Which President sent Lewis and Clark on their mission?
What did the explorers call the prairie dogs they discovered?
Sacagawea helped the explorers get horses to cross the Rocky Mountains.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to name the three main goals of the expedition and one animal they discovered.
Practice Activity
Draw a simple map of the United States and mark where you think the journey started (St. Louis) and ended (the Pacific Ocean).