William Clark

Biography
William Clark was born August 1, 1770 in Virginia. He has five older
brothers and three older sisters. He was born four years before Meriwether
Lewis (his brother)
He moved to Kentucky when he was a teenager. He followed his brothers
who served as soldiers in the revolutionary war. Clark married Julian
Hancock on January 5,1808 with five children. He was an American
explorer, soldier, Indian agent and territorial governor. Unfortunately, he
died at September 1, 1838.

William Clark & Julian Hancock

Meriwether Lewis Clark Sr.
William Preston Clark
John Julius Clark
Mary Margaret Clark
Harriet Clark

Early life
William Clark joined a volunteer militia force under Major John Hardin when
he was 19 years old. He kept and wrote a detailed journal of when he was
in the force.
In 1790, Clark was commissioned by general Arthur St. Clair, governor of
the Northwest Territory as a captain in Clarksville, Indiana militia.

In 1802, Thomas Jefferson assigned Lewis to lead a mission to the Pacific

Ocean. Lewis needed a new officer on his journey. He had one in mind
which was William Clark. Jefferson was aware of the problems that could
occur during the journey and order Lewis to come back if there are or else
if they are all killed there will be no record of all the knowledge they have
gained.

On July 4,1803 Lewis completed his preparations for his journey. William
Clark accepted the job on July 29 and agreed that he would be ready to go
by the time the boat got to Clarksville. Unfortunately the boat builder was
very slow at making the boat that Lewis designed due to his drinking
problem. He promised that it would be finished by July 20, but he did not
actually finished it till August 31. So they purchased some canoes.

Discovery
Clark joined corps of discovery whose mission is to explore the
territory of the Louisiana purchase.
Established trade with Native Americans and the sovereignty of
the US.
Found the waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean.
Claim the Oregon territory for the US before Europeans.
Had an expedition to the Pacific Coast.

Significance Of Discovery
He later developed the Missouri territory.
Help build and supply forts along the Ohio River.
He build a monumental map.
He kept his journal which help the next explorers understand
the place.
 His journals help explorers to appreciate the tremendous
diversity of native cultures.
He support government trading houses.
He promoted commercial fur trade activities abroad.
He protected settlements and conducted the peace-seeking
treaty of Portage des Sioux in 1815.
He issued trading licences and increased scientific knowledge.
Providing more reliable maps.
Motivation
Reward for his endeavors through publishing his journals
named after the governor of the new expensive territory of Louisiana.
Public recognition and political appointments.
Fame.

Enabling Factors
He appointed to join the Corps Discovery he met other people who help
him explore.

Questions
1. They need maps, food and supply, help from the native people,
patience, financial aid.
2. They want to conquer states from Europeans, they want to be
better than Europeans.