Lewis, Clark and the Creation of the American West: Westward Exploration and Conquest, 1789-1812

This set of three lectures will explore the “creation” of the American West by European settlers between 1789 and 1812 with special focus on the West as a place of conquest as well as a creative invention, an assertive act of the national imagination. Starting with the visions and actions of Thomas Jefferson, Merriweather Lewis, and William Clark, we will explore America’s projection of power into western North America and its impact on Native Americans and other peoples living west of the thirteen original united states. We will also be exploring the integration of the “near west” for new states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and New Orleans.