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Document Based Question (DBQ)
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Directions: This Question is based on the accompanying documents (1-4). Some of the
documents have been edited for the purpose of the question. This question is designed to
test your ability to work with historical documents. As you analyze the documents take
into account both the CONTEXT of each document and the POINT OF VIEW that may be
presented.
Historical Context:
Following the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803,
President Thomas Jefferson authorized a major expedition to explore the newly
acquired land. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the expedition. During their
voyage they made maps of the land, kept records of the new plants and animals
they encountered, and established relationships with the Native American Indians
they met along the way.
Task:
Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies,
answer all the questions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the
questions will help you write the Part B Essay in which you will be asked to:
Describe THREE goals of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Document 1:
Detail of a map drawn by Clark showing the approximate location of the source of the
Missouri River. c.1804
!a. Based on the document, what was one river that Lewis and Clark had successfully
navigated? (1 pt.)
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1b. Based on the document, what was one goal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition? (1 pt)
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Document 2:
The front and back of a Jefferson peace medal given by Lewis and Clark to leaders of Indian
tribes. Courtesy of State Historical Society of North Dakota.
2. Based on this document, what was another goal of the expedition? (1pt)
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Document 3:
Invoice of articles sent from Fort Mandan to President Thomas Jefferson
First Box: skins of male and female antelopes,
with their skeletons…horns and ears of the black
tail, or mule deer…skeletons of this small, or
burrowing wolf of the prairies, the skin having
been lost by accident.
Second box: four buffalo robes and an ear of
Mandan corn
Third box: Skins of the male and female antelopes
with their skeletons
Fourth box: specimens of earths, salts and
minerals, specimens of plants…one tin box
containing insects.
In a large trunk: one buffalo robe painted by a
Mandan man representing a battle which was
fought eight years [ago], by Sioux and [Arikaras]
against the Mandan and [Hidatsas].
One cage containing four living magpies
One cage, containing a living burrowing squirrel of
the prairies.
One cage, containing one living hen of the prairies.
One large pair of elk’s horns, connected by the
frontal bone.
3. Name three (3) items that Lewis and Clark sent back to Jefferson. (3 pts)
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Document 4:
Excerpts from Lewis’s journals. c. 1804
4. Based on this document, what was another goal of the expedition? (1pt)
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Part B:
Write a well organized essay that includes an introduction, several
body paragraphs and a conclusion, that addresses the task below:
Historical Context:
Following the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803,
President Thomas Jefferson authorized a major expedition to explore the newly
acquired land. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the expedition. During their
voyage they made maps of the land, kept records of the new plants and animals
they encountered, and established relationships with the Native American Indians
they met along the way.
Task:
Using information from all THREE documents and your knowledge of social
studies, answer all the document questions in Part A and use the answers in your
Part B Essay in which you will be asked to:
Describe THREE goals of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Guidelines:
In your essay be sure to:
Develop all aspects of the task
Incorporate information from at least three documents
Incorporate relevant outside information
Support theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction
and a conclusion that are beyond a simple restatement of the
Historical Context and Task.
