by Mikki Moffitt, Southwestern University
Maria Vega, Southwestern University
Students take on the role of Lewis and Clark and take a journey to the west under President Jefferson's orders. Students research information about the expedition and the discoveries made, then present their findings to President Jefferson.
Introduction
On
January 18, 1803, in a secret message to Congress, President Thomas Jefferson
called for an expedition into the uncharted West. Jefferson, believing
that the possession of the Northwest Passage was necessary for control of North
America, appointed Meriwether Lewis to lead a group of men to the Pacific Ocean.
Lewis, an expert in botany, the study of plants, and zoology, the study of animals,
knew that he could not lead alone. He asked William Clark, a friend of
his from the army, to join him. Clark's expertise was in native cultures
and map making. Together, the two friends would lead "The Corps of Discovery"
on one of the most memorable expeditions in American History!
