- It affirmed U.S. sovereignty over the vast Louisiana Purchase territory, which had only been acquired three years prior to the start of the expedition in 1804. By sending an expedition to explore and claim the land, the United States was able to dissuade rival powers, namely Great Britain and France, from attempting to seize control of the region.
2. Economic Expansion
- The expedition provided significant economic benefits to the United States. It opened up new trade routes, especially with Native American tribes in the region, and laid the groundwork for future commerce, agriculture, and mining in the western territories. The explorers' detailed observations of the region's resources, including plants, animals, minerals, and waterways, provided valuable information for potential economic exploitation.
3. Scientific Discoveries
- Lewis and Clark's journey contributed immensely to scientific knowledge about the Western United States. They encountered and documented hundreds of previously unknown species of plants and animals, significantly expanding the understanding of American flora and fauna. The explorers also made careful observations about geography, astronomy, meteorology, geology, and Native American culture, contributing to the body of scientific knowledge at the time.
4. Native American Diplomacy
- The expedition established diplomatic ties with numerous Native American tribes in the region. Lewis and Clark aimed to foster peaceful relations and establish U.S. authority with these tribes, gaining their trust and securing their cooperation in subsequent westward expansion. Through negotiations, diplomacy, and gift-giving, the expedition successfully maintained mostly amicable relations with most tribes encountered along the way.
5. Inspiration for Settlers
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition captured the imagination of Americans, inspiring a spirit of exploration and westward migration. The detailed journals, maps, and reports of the expedition, published a few years later, fueled the public's interest in the uncharted territories of the West and contributed to the wave of pioneer settlement that would follow in the early 19th century.
6. Symbol of National Identity
- The success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition became a symbol of national unity and pride in the young United States. It fostered a sense of optimism and belief in the nation's ability to explore, conquer, and exploit the vastness of the North American continent. The expedition's accomplishments left a lasting legacy in American westward expansion and the shaping of the nation's identity.