The Journeys of Zebulon Pike

Question 1 What was Zebulon Pike’s first mission? Where did he end up?

Answer Pike’s first mission was in search of the source of the Mississippi River. This mission would take him up the Mississippi River and into present-day Minnesota.

The Mississippi River

Question 2 What was Zebulon Pike’s next mission? Be specific.

Answer Pike’s second expedition was to explore the American Southwest. He was instructed to seek out headwaters of the Arkansas and Red rivers and to investigate Spanish settlements in New Mexico.

Arkansas River

Red River

Question 3 What states did Zebulon Pike travel through?

Answer Pike traveled through the present-day states of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Question 4 Why was Zebulon Pike stopped by Spanish officials? Who was he spying for?

Answer Pike was stopped by Spanish officials and charged with illegal entry into Spanish-held territory. It is not known who he was spying for.

Question 5 What specific parts of the country did we learn more about because of Zebulon Pike? Be specific.

Answer From Pike’s travels, Americans learned about the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and the U.S. territory in Kansas and Colorado. He also explored the Southwest, including part of the Rio Grande, northern Mexico, and what is now southern Texas.

Great Plains

Rocky Mountains

Rio Grande

Question 6 Critical Thinking: Based on the reading, it is clear that Pike was sent out to explore new territories. But why was he a spy? What do you think the real reason may have been for his travels?

Answer Pike seems to have explored this territory to see how strong the Spanish were in this territory, and if the United States had a chance at seizing or adding part of this territory.