What was the main goal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

The primary goal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which took place from 1804 to 1806, was to explore and map the newly acquired western territory of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This vast area was largely uncharted, and President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead this mission. Their expedition aimed to gather detailed information about the geography, natural resources, and the cultures of the Native American tribes in this region. The knowledge gained from their journey was crucial for the expansion of the United States and played a significant role in facilitating future exploration and settlement of the West.

While establishing trade with Native Americans and finding a passage to Asia were considerations during the journey, the fundamental objective focused on exploration and mapping the land. The survey of potential sites for new states also came later as a result of the findings from the expedition, but the immediate goal was directed towards understanding and documenting the newly acquired territory.