Question

Why was the Lewis and Clark expedition significant?
It improved America’s knowledge of the West.
It opened trade between the United States and Native Americans in the West.
It led to U.S. settlement of the Southwest.
It introduced the United States to valuable raw materials such as coal.

Answer 1

The Lewis and Clark expedition, which took place from 1804 to 1806, is significant primarily because **it improved America’s knowledge of the West**. This expedition provided important information about the geography, biology, and ecology of the western territories, helped map the land, and established relationships with various Native American tribes. While it did contribute to the opening of trade and set the stage for future settlement and exploration, its most immediate significance was the expansion of knowledge about the vast and largely unknown western part of the United States.