Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark expedition (1804–1806) was the first United States overland expedition to the Pacific coast and back, lead by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark.

Achievements

• The U.S. gained an extensive knowledge of the geography of the American West in the form of maps of major rivers and mountain ranges
• Discovered and described 178 new plants and 122 species and subspecies of animals (see List of species described by the Lewis and Clark Expedition)
• Opened American fur trade in the West
• Paved the way for peaceful relations with the Indians
• Established a precedent for Army exploration of the West
• Strengthened the U.S. claim to Oregon Territory
• Focused U.S. and media attention on the West
• Produced the first literature about the West (the Lewis and Clark diaries)
• Made themselves heroes throughout the country and big names in Early American History
• Helped show pioneers some of the Oregon Trail