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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mriwether Lewis gathered his specimens by

2. Lewis and Clark wanted Indian chiefs to go to Washington so they could

3. Of the 5.5 million people in America during Jefferson's time,

4. The strange gunshot-type noise that came regularly from the northwest

5. During Jefferson's time, Americans were obsessed with the concept of

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Jefferson so interested in exploring the West?

2. What may have convinced Lewis and Clark that they needed to double their crew?

3. Of what, exactly, was the "great father" trying to convince the Indians, under Jefferson's instructions?

4. How did the expedition manage to drag its boats over land?

5. Explain Lewis' realization when he was threatened by buffalo bulls, a bear and wolverines.

6. What was the primary reason for wanting to find the Shoshones at this point in the trip?

7. Discuss the punishment meted out to the two soldiers who drank whiskey while on guard duty. Was it fair?

8. Discuss the large keelboat and its journey back to St. Louis.

9. Was Sacagawea treated with the respect she was due?

10. What was ironic about the government's response to the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

John Coulter left the expedition to go on to explore the Yellowstone area, with Lewis' blessings.

1) What can we learn about John Coulter? Is he famous in the annals of American history for his work?

2) Did Coulter have any productive interactions with Indians in the Yellowstone country?

3) Did Coulter keep journals, and was he also a "naturalist" like Lewis?

4) Is there any recorded history of why he made such a decision?

5) What did Coulter accomplish and when/where did he die?

Essay Topic 2

Sacagawea was only one of Charbonneau's wives. Research and write an exploratory essay on Charbonneau:

1) Did the Charbonneau family continue to thrive in the region of the Mandan camps?

2) Are there still Charbonneau's living there now?

3) Was it a custom within the Shoshones to have two wives, or did Charbonneau think this up on his own?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Thomas Jefferson and his wild ideas of a water route to the Pacific.

1) What were Jefferson's motives? Were they mercenary? Why did he want to be the one to find the passage?

2) Do you feel Jefferson sacrificed Lewis, knowing that the odds were against his returning safely?

3) Did Jefferson desert Lewis in his time of need? Did he fight for him after he left office when his vouchers were in question?

4) Why did Jefferson lay the burden of publishing the data on Lewis personally, and later on Clark?

(see the answer keys)

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