Lewis and Clark Expedition

Join our cartoon avatar host as he guides viewers through the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The U.S. acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, and President Thomas Jefferson wanted to know exactly what he had bought. Between 1804-1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the "Corps of Discovery" on a journey west to the Pacific Ocean on a search for the fabled "Northwest Passage" waterway. Was the journey worth it? Find out in this edition of History in a Nutshell!

Note for educators regarding Sacagawea: According to scholars, the pronunciation of Sacagawea as Sak-a-JA-wee-ah is incorrect. The more historically correct way to pronounce her name is with a hard G- "Sak-ah-GAH-wee-ah". Lewis and Clark spelled her name in eight different variations throughout their journals. For more information on the proper pronunciation of Sacagawea's name, visit this article by Columbiagorge.org