LAND EXPLORERS

1. LAND EXPLORERS CHAPTER 4

2. Lewis and Clark Expedition • Most important event in Pacific Northwest history

3. What made the Lewis and Clark expedition possible?

4. French Revolution • 1789 people of France rebelled against Marie Antoinette and King Louis the XVI • Both were executed in 1793 • “Reign of Terror” – struggle for control of government-- anarchy

5. Napoleon Bonaparte • Gains control of France in 1799 • In 1801 declares himself emperor of French republic • Tries to restore prestige of Charlemagne • 1803 gains control of Louisiana Territory from Spain

6. U.S. Foreign Policy change • France seen as serious problem for U.S. • Control of New Orleans could hinder trade along Mississippi– main trade route of Western U.S.

7. How was the land acquired?Louisiana Purchase • Jefferson sent 3 man delegation to Paris to buy Western Florida and New Orleans for maximum of $7 million • Napoleon offers all of Louisiana for $15 million • Jefferson agrees and buys Louisiana for 3 cents per/acre

8. What did Jefferson want Lewis and Clark to accomplish on the trip? • Collect scientific information on plants and animals of region • Accurately map region • Find a river route across America. • Become friends with Indians of region • Determine extent of Louisiana Purchase • Strengthen U.S. claim to PNW

9. What was the Corps of Discovery? • Lewis and Clark were leaders • Left St. Louis, Missouri on May 14, 1804 • Corps of Discovery included 33 men– made whole trip– approx 45 started • Traveled up Missouri River

10. Winter 1804-1805 • Spent winter amongst Mandan Indians at Fort Mandan • Hired Toussaint Charbonneau as guide and interpreter– worthless hire • Young Shoshone Indian named Sacajawea– wife of Charbonneau-was a more valuable guide

11. Spring 1805 • Sent Keelboat back to St. Louis with artifacts and samples collected already • 33 men leave Fort Mandan and begin travel up the Missouri River • Arrived at Great Falls of Missouri– series of 5 waterfalls • Took 12 days to portage 18 miles

12. Three Forks of Missouri • Here is where expedition hoped to meet up with Shoshone Indians • 3 forks • Madison River– named after Secretary of State • Gallatin River– after secretary of Treasury • Jefferson River– President • Met up with Shoshones– band was led by Cameawhait– Sacajaweas brother

13. Crossing the Rocky Mountains • Traded for horses with Cameawhait • Traveled through pass they called Lemhi Pass • Hired Indian guide called “Old Toby”—he got them lost in Bitterroot Mountains • Came out of mountains starving– had eaten horses, dog, and even candles • Nez Perce nursed them back to health– helped them build canoes

14. What happened to the Corps in the Pacific Northwest? • Traveled by canoe down the Clearwater River to the Snake River then to the Columbia • Traveled on Washington side of Columbia—portaged around Celilo Falls • Finally reached Pacific Ocean in November 1805

15. Fort Clatsop • Established camp at Station Camp on Northern bank of Columbia • After series of storms, and lack of success hunting, Corps took advice of local tribes and moved to Southern shore of Columbia • Established Fort Clatsop and remained their winter of 1805-06

16. Return Trip • Hoped to meet with trading ship– weather inhibited meeting– 6 clear days in 3 months • Left Clatsop in March • Reversed the route of their journey west • Returned to Nez Perce land and using the horses they had left earlier re-crossed Rocky Mountains– Lewis and Clark Pass • Expedition split • Lewis took half and explored Marias River • Clark took rest and explored Yellowstone River

17. Was the trip successful? • Met up at confluence of Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers • Arrived in St. Louis on September 23, 1806 • Most successful expedition in our history • Met 5 of 6 goals • Each member of Corps got 320 acres of land • Lewis got 1600 and Clark got 1000 acres of land– Lewis refused until Clark got the same

18. After the expedition • George Drewyer, John Colter, and John Potts become fur traders • Colter discovers Yellowstone Park– “Colter’s Hell” • Sacajawea supposedly died in 1812– woman claiming to be her died in 1880’s at Wind River Reservation in Wyoming amongst the Shoshones • York– Clark’s slave was freed and became successful freight hauling business • Charles Floyd only man to die on expedition– ruptured appendix

19. Lewis • Appointed Governor of Louisiana Territory– not a politician • Accused of misusing money– had to pay out of pocket • On trip to Washington, D.C. died at inn near Natchez Trace– suicide or murder??

20. Clark • Made Indian agent for Louisiana Territory and later Governor • Compiled maps of Western U.S. throughout career • Married girl that he named Judith River after– her first name was really Julia

21. British Explorers • All were employees of English owned NorthWest Fur Company • Most work done in present day British Columbia and Washington • Three employees: • Alexander MacKenzie • Simon Fraser • David Thompson

22. Alexander MacKenzie • Looking for source of Columbia River • Follows river – MacKenzie River– empties too far north • Follows and maps Upper Fraser River • Follows and Maps Bella Coola River • Becomes first European to walk across North America north of Mexico in 1793 • Heavy influence on Lewis and Clark

23. Simon Fraser • 1806 Discovered main course of Fraser River– empties near present day Vancouver B.C.

24. David Thompson • Mapped out 1 million square miles of western Canada • Discovered source of Columbia in 1807 in S.E. British Columbia • 1810-Founded Spokane House-first fur trading post in WA