The Corps of Discovery

The Mandan tribe of the Upper Missouri River had been one of the most prosperous tribes on the Great Plains for centuries, where they held a great abundance of resources. Both other Native American tribes and European explorers traveled great distances to trade with the Mandans. The English, Spanish, and French attempted to claim ownership of the Mandan territories, with little success.

During the 19th century, these groups shared in common an urgency to find the Northwest Passage, a waterway believed to connect the Missouri River with the Pacific Ocean. This passage would grant better access to resources and riches in Asia. The nation who found and took control of such a waterway first would have significant power over the North American continent.

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned The Corps of Discovery, a unit of the U.S. Army, to find the passage. The Corps’ primary expedition was led by Lewis and Clark, and lasted from 1804-1806.