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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. Old Toby told Lewis that the party could have traveled down a low pass, which would have

2. Among his peers, Lewis is considered

3. The primary means of overland transportation in the 1700s was

4. On some of the worst days of the expedition the men were forced to

5. Wild game animals were not afraid of the men, perhaps because

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did it take so long for Lewis' keelboat to be built?

3. What happened to Lewis' beloved iron-frame boat?

4. Why did Jefferson appoint Lewis as his personal secretary?

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

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

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

8. Why was progress down the Ohio River so abominably slow?

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

10. Discuss the perception of the speed of travel in Jefferson's time in 1801.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lewis and Clark witness a Sioux "scalp dance" on the upper Missouri.

1) Why was the scalp dance being performed at this time? What did it mean?

2) Did the Sioux find some kind of spiritual triumph in capturing prisoners of other tribes? What was the Sioux's philosophy regarding other tribes? Was their priority their land, hunting grounds, horses, or just power? How could another tribe offend them enough to get scalped?

3) How many bands, or different groups of Sioux were in the country at that time?

Essay Topic 2

Lewis was a Republican; Clark married into a Federalist family. In an essay, explain the differences between the two parties. Compare and contrast:

1) The parties' basic philosophies

2) Their political platforms and future goals

3) How much volatility existed between them

4) Can the parties be compared to our currently existing two parties? How?

4) Name some famous Republicans and Federalists, besides those in the book

Essay Topic 3

Research and write an expository essay on the rumor/legend/fact that Thomas Jefferson had an affair and a child with his black slave.

1) What is known about this rumor now? Was it true?

2) Have the relatives of this relationship surfaced, and, if so, how much credibility can we give to their stories?

3) Jefferson was never married. Can it be determined whether he was in love with this female slave?

4) Jefferson was known as something of a womanizer. If there is little factual information to support the affair, is it likely to have been true, given Jefferson's lifestyle?

(see the answer keys)

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