1. Why did Europeans want to fi nd a way across the North American continent?
2. What countries were most interested in
exploring the West and why?
3. Why was Thomas Jefferson eager to claim
new land for the United States?
4. What was the main purpose of the Corps of
Discovery’s expedition?
5. What was one of the most important contributions made by Sacagawea to the success of the
Corps of Discovery’s expedition?
6. Describe the areas in Montana explored by the
Corps of Discovery, François Larocque, and
David Thompson.
7. What was the primary information given by
early explorers that brought more people to
the western lands?
Describe some of the navigational instruments
used by explorers in the early 1800s.
CRITICAL THINKING
1. How was the Corps of Discovery unlike other
expeditions into the western lands?
2. Compare (and contrast) the relationship the
Lewis and Clark Expedition had with the
Indian tribes they encountered and the
relationships other explorers had with Indians.
What do you think accounts for the similarities
and differences?
3. The men of the Corps of Discovery had
believed the Rocky Mountains to be similar
to the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern
United States. How do you think they felt
when they realized this was a far different kind
of mountain range? How do you think it made
them feel about the return trip?
4. The Corps of Discovery stayed close together
throughout their westward journey. On the return journey through Montana, however, they
separated into three small groups. Why do you
think they did this, and was it a wise decision?