Introduction:
The Lewis and Clark expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery expedition, was a groundbreaking journey that took place between 1804 and 1806. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, this historic expedition aimed to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory, establish trade with Native American tribes, and lay claim to the Pacific Northwest. Teaching students about the Lewis and Clark expedition can help them gain a deeper understanding of American history, geography, and the spirit of exploration. The following guide will provide you with key components to teach students about this pivotal journey.
1. Background & Context:
Begin by setting the stage for your lesson with a brief overview of the events leading up to the Lewis and Clark expedition. Discuss the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, when President Jefferson acquired a vast area of land from France, doubling the size of the United States. Explain that Jefferson sought out skilled explorers and leaders Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an exploration into this unknown territory.
2. The Journey:
Outline the main events, key discoveries, and challenges faced during their two-and-a-half-year trek across North America. Use a timeline or a map to show students how they traveled from St. Louis through present-day Kansas City, Omaha, and Bismarck before reaching Great Falls in Montana. Describe their arduous journey across the Rocky Mountains using only horses and their navigation skills, including seeking guidance from local Native American tribes.
3. Sacagawea’s Role:
Introduce students to Sacagawea, a young Shoshone woman who played an invaluable role in guiding Lewis and Clark through unfamiliar territory. Highlight her accomplishments as an interpreter, negotiator, gatherer of information on Native customs, and wildlife expert during this time.
4. Interactions with Native Americans:
Express the importance of peaceful encounters with various Native American tribes including Sioux, Mandan, Nez Perce, and the Clatsop. Discuss trade negotiations, the exchange of knowledge and technologies, as well as the cultural impact of these encounters for both sides.
5. Scientific Contributions & Discoveries:
Explain that in addition to mapping vast territories, Lewis and Clark meticulously documented plant and animal species previously unknown to European Americans. Share some examples of these discoveries including prairie dogs, grizzly bears, and the black-tailed deer. Also, discuss their detailed geographical surveys and observations on the personnel journals that later influenced American expansions.
6. Legacy & Impact:
Lastly, discuss how the Lewis and Clark expedition impacted the United States’ westward expansion. Talk about how their explorations paved the way for greater understanding of American geography and fueled a sense of manifest destiny across the nation.
Conclusion:
Teaching students about the Lewis and Clark expedition allows them to gain valuable insight into key moments in American history. Through learning about this expedition’s challenges, achievements, and relations between explorers and Indigenous peoples, students will develop a better understanding of America’s early years as a nation eager to explore new frontiers.
