What was the main goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

The primary objective of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore the western territories and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the expedition aimed to investigate the newly acquired land and seek a water route that would enable commerce and facilitate east-west travel across the continent. This exploration would also enhance knowledge about the geography, resources, and inhabitants of the West.

While establishing trade with Native American tribes, mapping territories, and surveying lands for agriculture were certainly important aspects of U.S. expansion and development after the expedition, the overarching goal was indeed to find a pathway to the Pacific. This would ultimately support the United States' ambitions for westward expansion and manifest destiny. The successful journey provided invaluable information about the land, its natural resources, and the cultures of various Native American tribes, but it was the quest for the Pacific route that drove the mission’s planning and execution.