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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. What was Jefferson's suggestion to Napoleon regarding New Orleans?

2. Lewis was instructed by Sacagawea that, in Shoshone, "tab-ba-bone" meant

3. Lewis' political leanings favor

4. The men in the expedition were bound by the knowledge

5. To follow the large keelboats up the river, the expedition made use of

Short Essay Questions

1. Did Jefferson see something special in Meriwether Lewis?

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

3. Is it obvious why Clark's commission stayed that of lieutenant and not captain? How did that affect the two leaders?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Describe the irony in Lewis' attitude toward Native Americans and African Americans.

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

Meriwether Lewis' father died when he was young and his mother remarried, changing her name to Marks.

1) Is there a genealogy of Lewis' family? Is there an organized group of "family" genealogists related to him?

2) Lewis is said to have come from royal ancestry in Europe. Research this and determine whether it is factual, and provide additional information.

3) Try to locate some information on Meriwether Lewis' father. Did he suffer from mental illness? Write an essay on his life.

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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