When Lewis and Clark set off on their famed journey in 1803 to find a route from the Midwest to the Pacific Ocean, discovering the mighty Mississippi River was one of their major goals. The pair, along with their team of explorers, surveyed much of the river that passes through what is now Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. But did Lewis and Clark really discover the Mississippi?
To answer this question, we must first look at the history of the river itself. The Mississippi River has had a prominent presence in North America for centuries, and its importance to Native Americans has been well-documented. Various tribes, including the Sioux, Blackfeet, and Ojibwe, were living near the Mississippi well before the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Certainly, they “discovered” the river long before Lewis and Clark arrived.
Furthermore, there is evidence that the French-Canadian voyageur, Pierre-Charles Le Sueur, had explored the upper reaches of the river as early as 1683. During the latter half of the 1700s, several other explorers pushed into the territory, including George Rogers Clark and Zebulon Pike. Lewis and Clark may have possibly learned of the river from some of these early contactors, as many of them made maps of the region, which could have been shared with the team.
When the Lewis and Clark expedition began to travel down the Mississippi in 1804, the discoveries they made along the way were new to the naturalists and scholars in their party. They noted the numerous trees, birds, and plants that grew along the riverbanks, as well as the many Native American tribes who lived and traded in the area. As such, these observations added to their body of knowledge on the region, as well as on American geography and natural science as a whole.
Ultimately, while Lewis and Clark did not “discover” the Mississippi River as we understand it today, they provided an invaluable contribution to the world of science by mapping, recording, and describing their journey along the river. Their exploration facilitated further understanding of the natural history of the area and was essential in connecting the United States and expanding its geographic knowledge.
The Impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
The expedition of Lewis and Clark is widely recognized as one of the most important American expeditions in history. Not only did the pair make great contributions to science and geography, but they were also a part of what opened up the American West, creating the impetus for further exploration by expanding access to and knowledge of the area. The result of the journey was a thorough knowledge of the lands between the Louisiana Purchase and Oregon Country.
Most notably, their expedition also encouraged latter-day settlers to move west. Lewis and Clark’s journey inspired a rush of settlers across the continent, eager to benefit from the resources found there. Of course, such a large influx of people did not come without consequences. The Native American population in the area, who had been living there for centuries, suffered greatly as a result. The coming of the explorers also had a lasting effect on the flora and fauna of the region, with many species moving, changing, and disappearing forever.
While the exploration of Lewis and Clark was an important moment in history, it also had significant impacts on the environment as well as on the people who were living in the area at the time. The knowledge they gained and the maps they made were invaluable contributions to the nation, but they also brought with them vast changes.
Examining Lewis and Clark’s Legacy
Despite the negative aspects of their journey, Lewis and Clark remain two of the most widely celebrated figures in American history. Their exploration of the newly purchased Louisiana territory was a landmark moment for the United States, and many contemporaries credited them for the resulting growth and development. To this day, their names are celebrated in parks, monuments, and schools throughout the lands they explored.
In modern times, their epic journey has become one of adventure and heroic deeds. Films, books, and documentaries portray their expedition in a romanticized way that has become part of popular culture. There is no doubt that their journey was a remarkable feat of endurance, ingenuity, and survival. Even now, it stands as an inspiring reminder of the power of curiosity and exploration.
Link to the Environment
Having explored much of the northern part of the Louisiana territory, Lewis and Clark were sent back to St. Louis in response to a request from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. Upon their return, they reported a wealth of information about native plants and animals, as well as land and water features. This data was invaluable to the American scientific community and helped to advance knowledge in both natural science and the physical geography of the region.
The conservationist in us today reveres the attention to detail that was paid to the environment. Not only did the expedition pay great care to gathering scientific data, but they also noticed the many threats to the environment even at the time, including soil erosion and hunting. By paying attention and reporting on the environmental conditions at the time, the Lewis and Clark expedition makes an important contribution to the growing field of environmental science.
Economic Implications
Not only has the expedition of Lewis and Clark been credited with transforming Western knowledge of the region, but their journey also had a profound effect on the economy. With their knowledge of the areas between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, they enabled more accurate mapping which in turn encouraged settlement in the area. This encouraged further growth and development of what was, at the time, largely uncharted territory.
Moreover, the discovery of new resources (such as timber and oil) in the Louisiana territory enabled Americans to not just settle, but also to capitalize on exploitable resources. This aspect of the expedition was incredibly impactful, as now the region could not only be used as farmlands, but also for its great variety of resources. The collective effort of the Lewis and Clark expedition enabled the American economy to both expand and diversify.
Symbolism and Significance of the Expedition
In addition to scientific and economic implications, the impulse to explore lands beyond the Louisiana territory was a symbol of the nation’s growth and progress. For the first time, the United States was able to expand its borders beyond the original 13 colonies, something that was not possible before the Louisiana Purchase. This was an incredible feat in and of itself, and signaled a wave of progress for the nation.
The expedition of Lewis and Clark thus stands as an important symbol in American history, as it demonstrates the great potential of the nation. This journey was conducted on the heels of the nation’s first major territorial acquisition, thus transforming it into a more powerful and influential nation. The successes of the expedition are seen not just in the wealth of knowledge they gained through their journey, but in the symbolic implications of the event.
Symbiotic Business Relationships
As the Lewis and Clark Expedition expanded the economic and scientific knowledge of the United States, it also made an impact through its dealings with Native Americans. The expedition not only helped to expand the American frontier, but it also helped to foster business relationships with Native American tribes. Not only was knowledge gained in this way, but much-needed supplies were often exchanged between the two sides.
These symbiotic relationships serve as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and understanding between cultures. By receiving supplies from the tribes, Lewis and Clark were often able to avoid conflicts while still being able to explore the region. Their understanding of Indian customs and language was also vital in helping to cultivate these interactions.
The success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was also marked by the friendships that were formed during the journey. Most notably, Lewis and Clark befriended an African American slave named York, who accompanied them on their journey. His assistance was vital to the expedition and he was often the one who interacted most closely with the numerous Native American tribes.
