The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 through 1806 is one of the great historical expeditions to take place in the Western Hemisphere.

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Headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, it was the first American overland expedition to the Pacific coast and back.

During this expedition, these men discovered numerous animals, plants, and explored vast regions of territory.

In 1804, the Louisiana Purchase sparked American interest in expansion to the west coast.

A few weeks after this purchase was made, President Thomas Jefferson, an advocate of western expansion, had Congress appropriate $2,500 for an expedition.

Meriwether Lewis was selected to head up this expedition Meriwether Lewis was selected to head up this expedition. He selected William Clark to assist him.

On May 14, 1804 Lewis and Clark along with 31 other men left Camp Dubois near present day Hartford, Illinois, to begin their historic journey, by traveling out of civilization, and into the unknown.

Their first leg took them down the Ohio River.

Within a few months during August 1804, Lewis and Clark reached the edge of the Great Plains, a place abounding with elk, deer, bison, and beavers.

August 1804, Lewis and Clark reached the edge of the Great Plains, a place abounding with elk, deer, bison, and beavers.

Soon after, they met their first tribe of Native American’s, The Yankton Sioux.

As a peace offering, the Lewis And Clark expedition offered these peoples gifts.

From there, they continued on westward towards the Missiouri River.

Another group of natives, known as the Teton Sioux received the gifts of Lewis and Clark with ill-disguised hostility.

The chief demanded a boat from Lewis and Clark as the price to be paid for passage through their territory.

As the Indians became more dangerous, Lewis and Clark prepared for battle.

At the last moment, just before fighting began, the two sides retreated.

he Americans quickly continued westward upriver until winter stopped them in the Mandan Indian tribes territory

In the winter of 1804–05, the party built Fort Mandan, near present-day Washburn, North Dakota.

In the winter of 1804–05, the party built Fort Mandan, near present-day Washburn, North Dakota.

During the course of the winter the expedition enjoyed generally good relations with the Mandan Indians who lived alongside the Fort.

the Spring of 1805 the group finally made it to the Pacific Ocean.

The explorers began their journey home on March 23, 1806.

On the way home, Lewis and Clark split their men into two separate groups for several months so that they could explore more territory.

They returned home, reaching the city of St They returned home, reaching the city of St. Louis on September 23, 1806.

Their journey had been successful, and they were received home as heros

They had discovered important information about the new United States territory and the people who lived in it, as well as its rivers and mountains, plants and animals

The expedition made a major contribution to mapping the North American continent.