Why did President Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark on an expedition?
He wanted to expand the fur trading business
He wanted to find a direct route from the East Coast to the Pacific Ocean
He wanted to claim more land beyond Louisiana
He wanted to conquer Spanish held territories
President Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to accomplish multiple objectives. These included:
- Finding a direct route from the East Coast to the Pacific Ocean, which would provide a quicker and more efficient trade route for American merchants.
- Exploring and mapping the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory, to understand its geography, natural resources, and potential for settlement.
- Establishing friendly relations with Native American tribes in the region and exploring opportunities for trade.
- Conducting scientific research and collecting valuable data on the flora, fauna, and geology of the region.
- Asserting American sovereignty and presence in the region, as well as countering other European powers, such as the Spanish who held territories in the west. However, conquering Spanish-held territories was not the main objective of the expedition.