How did the Lewis and Clarck expedition affect settlement of the American West?
Lewis and Clark were sanctioned by the President Jackson to find a water route to the Pacific. Instead, Lewis and Clark made scientific observations about the West–plants, animals, terrain, and tribes met along the way. In reality, they did not accomplish a great feat. Rather, they explored the recent Louisiana Purchase from France, thus adding to knowledge of the land. All the while, however, Lewis and Clark were not greeted friendly by local tribes. In fact, no where in there journals does it mention any intent of making peace with the Indians. They do point out the potential in natural resources and land usage. Lewis and Clark were not great men. They are a myth. They actually believed they would find Unicorns and Alligators up the Missouri. They only contributed misinformation and misunderstanding that perpetuates today.
