History of North America

Did Lewis and Clark go in search of a water route from the Midwest to Pacific Ocean?

Lewis and Clark did not go in search of a water route from the Midwest to Pacific Ocean. Rather, they were tasked by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase, a vast territory that had been acquired by the United States from France in 1803. This meant that they had to explore the newly acquired territory, including the Missouri River and its tributaries, to determine their navigability and potential for commercial use. They were also tasked with studying the geography, plants, and animals of the region, as well as establishing friendly relations with the Native American tribes they encountered.