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| You live in the early 1800s and have been contacted by the president of the United States. He wants you to organize and lead an expedition. You'll explore and map the water route from St. Louis, MO, to the mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria, OR. Your task is to develop a plan to accomplish this mission for the president. There are some important, yet simple questions one asks when given a mission: Who? What? When? Where? How? Think about ... |
| Geographical Location: |
| Date: May 7, 1803 |
| City: Philadelphia |
Essential Questions
How Much Will it Cost?
How much will it cost to find, map, and evaluate a water passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific? (Use today's dollars.)
Mammoths and the Giant Sloth
Why would the president have asked Meriwether Lewis to look for evidence of mammoths and the giant sloth?
Supplies and Equipment
What supplies and equipment would you take on an 1800 expedition to travel up the Missouri, cross the Rocky Mountains, and descend the Columbia? Remember to consider how large your party will be and how much time you are allotting for the expedition.
The Role of the Naturalist
In what ways would the role of a naturalist in the early 19th century be alike or unlike that of today's naturalists?
Why Philadelphia?
Why did the president send Lewis to Philadelphia? Why not Boston? New York City? Washington, DC?
Navigational Technology
What navigational technology was available in the early 19th century? How could it be put to good use on this expedition?
Mapmaking Technology
What mapmaking technology was available in the early 19th century? How did this affect the Corps of Discovery?
Posing Questions
What questions would you want to answer as you travel from St. Louis to the Oregon coast?
Who Should Lead the Expedition?
Why did Jefferson pick an Army officer to lead the expedition? Why not select some private trader?
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