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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. Captain Clark, unlike Lewis,

2. Toward the end, Meriwether Lewis' behavior grew

3. The Americans astonished the Indians by

4. In an unfortunate hunting incident, Meriwether Lewis is accidentally

5. Meriwether Lewis may have misused public funds by

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Sacagawea lose her blue beads?

2. Was it justifiable for Lewis to turn his publishing project into such a huge and complex undertaking?

3. It seems that Lewis has had a major lapse in judgment in many respects and his behavior has become erratic. What major political mistake did he make when arranging to send Big White back to the Mandans?

4. In what way was Lewis being overly confident when crossing the Lolo trail?

5. As governor of the Louisiana Territory, Lewis was in over his head. How did Lewis fail in his job as governor?

6. In what area does the author feel Lewis' greatest talents had lain?

7. Can we ascribe any meaning to soldiers giving Captain Clark presents for Christmas, and no mention of presents for Lewis?

8. Describe Lewis' desperate act in the spring of 1806.

9. How do you think Lewis viewed his responsibility toward the governorship of the Louisiana Territory?

10. Does it seem odd that the Captains and their soldiers had no idea of how they would be rewarded by the government prior to their return from the expedition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lewis and Clark were more famous after their deaths than during their lives. What can we learn about them this many years later?

1) Research and construct a report about all of the monuments, parks, schools and other landmarks that bear Lewis and/or Clark's names. Explain, for each, their significance.

2) In the alternative, research and report on how many of the rivers and landmarks that Lewis & Clark named still have those names. Many were changed in the years after the expedition, but some may have remained.

3) What educational insititution(s) specialize in the history of Lewis and Clark? Describe their research program and anything notable about the school.

Essay Topic 2

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were very close friends, but had very different personalities and backgrounds. Compare and contrast:

1) How differently did the two men grow up?

2) What did they have in common?

3) How did their leadership habits mesh or clash?

4) Were they a good team?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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