What Is The Relationship Between Lewis And Clark

The Expedition of Lewis and Clark
The topic that I have chosen for my paper is the Expedition of Lewis and Clark. The topics that I wish to examine are the significance of the expedition, the timeline in which it took place, and the relationship that Lewis and Clark had with the Indians. I am truly amazed by the determination and dedication it took Lewis and Clark to conquer this expedition. Also, the fact that they didn’t lose many men from a crew of around 50 men on the entire journey is miraculous, to say the least. Many feel that Lewis and Clark didn’t get the recognition they deserve. I would like to look further into this and get a better understanding of why people believe this about the expedition.
The expedition took place due to
Lewis and Clark made a plan to travel northwest along the Missouri River from St. Louis. Lewis estimation that it would take them approximately 7months to reach the end of their exploration was indeed that, an estimation. However, neither would anticipate the tall mountain ranges in which they would have to conquer in the Rocky Mountains. Around mid-October of 1804 Lewis and Clark come upon their first encounter with Native Americans in the village of Mandan. The Mandan village was the main trade center for Native Americans. This is the place in which the expedition chose to wait out the harsh winter months. The Mandan’s also helped give information to Lewis and Clark as to which routes would be the best for them to take. After parting ways with the Mandans, Lewis and Clark restarted their journey toward the Rocky Mountains. Upon leaving the Mandans they hired several Frenchmen who lived with the Mandans to help guide and translate for them. Lewis and Clark also took along a 15 year old Shoshone named Sacajawea, who happened to be married to one of the Frenchmen. Sacajawea was very knowledgeable about the west and her translation skills would prove to be more than helpful on the expedition. The fact that Sacajawea also carried her baby with her helped to ensure other tribes they encountered that there was no war threat to their tribes. By 1805 Lewis and Clark
They encountered an estimated 55 Native American tribes. Some of the Indian tribes were only encountered by individuals, and others were encountered by way of council. Many of the Indian tribes such as the Mandans, Hidasta, and Nez Perce helped the explorers by providing food and giving them directions on which ways to go. However, they did encounter hostile tribes such as the Lakota and Blackfeet tribes. Before the exploration Lewis was given a course in how to negotiate with the Indian tribes. He was also given peace medals that were made out of silver by the U.S. Government, in which he would give to the Indian chiefs. Very little was known about the Indian tribes that were northward of the Mandan’s village. Lewis and Clark did not know what to expect.
“Whether Lewis and Clark knew it or not, they were the "spearpoints" of an invasion of American Indian homelands in the West. Whether or not their actions were deliberate, they touched off an invasion which displaced entire peoples and tribal groups with European descended settlers, backed by the U.S. Army and English land law. It is for this reason and others that many native peoples see no reason to be happy about the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and why this event should be looked upon by all as a "commemoration" rather than a "celebration."(nps.gov. par.