Moving Out West

Many years ago our country was not so big, and many people played a part in making our country what is today. In 1803 President Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. In that one purchase, our country doubled in size, and part of the Louisiana Territory later became the state of Missouri! Even though President Jefferson had bought a lot of land, it was still unknown to Americans, and there was even more unknown land beyond it. To find out more about the land President Jefferson sent a group, led by Lewis and Clark, to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean through the unknown land. After they returned from their trip, many fur trappers and pioneers decided they wanted to also explore the unknown land and settle the land for a better life. 

Just like the pioneers of the 1800's who were facing an unknown, we too are facing the unknown. We do not know about the trails the pioneers traveled, the lives they lived, and the great sights they saw. So be adventurous and courageous and lets learn about our unknown, Westward Expansion!