Why was the Lewis and Clark expedition launched? (1 point) Responses to make peace with the Native Americans to make peace with the Native Americans to explore the Louisiana Territory to explore the Louisiana Territory to explore areas in the northern United States and Canada to explore areas in the northern United States and Canada to explore territory that the United States could purchase to explore territory that the United States could purchase
to explore the Louisiana Territory
The Lewis and Clark expedition was launched for several reasons, including:
1. To explore the Louisiana Territory: The expedition was tasked with exploring and documenting the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, which was purchased from France in 1803.
2. To map and study the new territory: Lewis and Clark were expected to map and survey the land, its boundaries, rivers, natural resources, and indigenous populations.
3. To establish trade relations: The expedition aimed to establish friendly relations with Native American tribes in the region, in order to facilitate trade and diplomacy.
4. To seek a water route to the Pacific Ocean: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were instructed to find a practical water route from the newly acquired territory to the Pacific Ocean, which would greatly benefit American commerce.
Overall, the primary goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to gather information about the newly acquired land, establish diplomatic relations with Native American tribes, and explore potential trade routes and resources.
The Lewis and Clark expedition was launched to explore the Louisiana Territory.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the different options provided and determine which one aligns with the historical context of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Option 1: "To make peace with the Native Americans" - While establishing peaceful relations with Native Americans was a goal of the expedition, it was not the primary reason for launching it.
Option 2: "To explore the Louisiana Territory" - This option accurately reflects the main objective of the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory after the Louisiana Purchase.
Option 3: "To explore areas in the northern United States and Canada" - This option is incorrect as the primary focus of the expedition was to explore the western territories, specifically the Louisiana Territory.
Option 4: "To explore territory that the United States could purchase" - While the United States did acquire the Louisiana Territory through the Louisiana Purchase, the main purpose of the expedition was to explore the newly acquired land, not to identify further territory for purchase.
Therefore, option 2, "to explore the Louisiana Territory," is the correct answer.