9781422286210

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Upper Plains: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota

Lewis and William Clark to explore the new land, produce maps of the ter- rain, and catalog its wonders. The expedition started in 1804 and ended in 1806. Lewis and Clark encountered many Native American tribes, and found unusual animals and plants. They explored waterways and mar- veled at the natural resources.

North American territory to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the land area owned by the United States. Thomas Jefferson, the third presi- dent of the United States, was eager to find out more about the vast Louisiana Territory. He sent an expe- dition commanded by Meriwether

Lewis and Clark passed through Montana during their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. The Shoshone woman Sacagawea points the way to the expedition leaders near the Three Forks of the Missouri in this painting by Edgar S. Paxton, which is on display in the Montana State Capitol. The painting also shows Sacagawea’s husband Charbonneau (right), and Clark’s African- American slave, York.