The reason Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition was because he wanted to find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
The reason Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition was to find a route to the Pacific Ocean. To arrive at this answer, we can understand the historical context and Jefferson's motivations during that time. In the early 1800s, there was a growing interest in exploring and expanding the western territories of the United States. Jefferson believed that by finding a direct water route to the Pacific, the United States could establish trade connections with Asia and potentially claim valuable territories. Additionally, there was a desire to expand the fur trading business, but this was not the primary reason for the expedition. Similarly, conquering Spanish-held territories was not the objective. Therefore, the correct answer is that Jefferson wanted to find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
