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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. The difference between a canoe and a pirogue is that

2. Jefferson's interest in sending an expedition westward was to find

3. The Arikaras' island is covered with

4. As Lewis and his small scouting party ascended the north river bank, they were plagued by

5. Why did expectations soar during this phase of the trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the Shoshones hesitate to go with Lewis to meet Clark and help the expedition over the Lemhi River?

2. What in Lewis' childhood may have contributed to his later accomplishments?

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

4. Discuss Lewis' mental meanderings on his 32nd birthday.

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

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

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

8. Given that he was an educated man, how can we account for Lewis' lack of spelling ability?

9. Did Jefferson see something special in Meriwether Lewis?

10. What is Lewis' plan at this point for the remainder of the trip?

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

How would it have influenced Meriwether Lewis if he could have seen into the future? Write an informal essay about what changed after his death, such as.

1) Jefferson did not realize that the means of transportation would become faster and more reliable than travel by horse.

2) He did not know that Jefferson would expect him to take complete responsibility for publishing his scientific journals.

3) Some of Jefferson's wild inventions would become reality.

4) The country actually would become one nation under one government.

5) The Indians would be subdued and all but wiped out by the government.

6) There would be many thousands of Americans moving west and settling.

7) Britain and France would no longer occupy parts of America.

Essay Topic 3

Stephen Ambrose's footnotes could comprise a story by themselves. Write a descriptive essay, addressing one or two of the interesting facts he has noted, as well as the supportive information for them, which is not included in the actual text of the book.

1) Page 234 describes the brand Lewis applied to the expedition's horses that was found many years later. Try to find an image of it and write a short essay about this part of the journey, and how the horses were retrieved.

2. The soldier, Newman, who was court martialed and sent back to St. Louis is mentioned on page 209. Find additional information about Newman and what he did after returning to St. Louis.

3. On page 320, there is added information about Lewis' mercury cure for syphilis. Research and write about this "cure," how and when it was discovered, and its true effects on the disease.

(see the answer keys)

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