Map of Lewis and Clark trail, also called Map of Lewis & Clark Expedition or Lewis and Clark Trail.
The Lewis and Clark Trail Expedition (1804 thru 1806) was the first overland survey expedition undertaken by the United States to the Pacific coast and back. The expedition team was lead by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and assisted by native Sacajawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. The expedition's goal was to gain an full accurate sense of the natural resources being exchanged in the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition framed much of the groundwork for the Westward Expansion of the United States on this and the Oregon trail.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery as a full scientific expedition to explore the than newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. The expedition's goal as stated by President Jefferson was "to explore the Missouri River and such principal stream/rivers of it as by its course and path with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia River, Colorado or any other major river that may offer the most direct and fast water communication across this continent for the purpose of commerce and trade". In addition, the Lewis and Clark expedition was to learn more about the Northwest's hiden natural resources, native inhabitants, and possibilities for new settlement.