What were the purposes and outcomes of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

• A. To wage war against Britain.
• B. To found new colonies in the Pacific.
• C. To retrieve stolen treasure from Spanish expeditions.
• D. To explore the Louisiana Purchase, map routes to the Pacific, and strengthen U.S. claims; yielded geographic and scientific information and opened western expansion.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is why the Lewis and Clark expedition was undertaken and what it achieved. The mission was to explore the Louisiana Purchase, find a practical route to the Pacific, and strengthen U.S. claims to western lands. It delivered on those goals by producing detailed maps and geographic information, documenting plants, animals, and Native peoples, and laying groundwork for future travel and settlement. The expedition helped establish American presence in the Pacific Northwest and spurred Western expansion and economic opportunities, especially in trade and exploration.