Page 7 - Were Native Americans the Victims of Genocide?
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British, the Iroquois were required to give up their land in the
Ohio River valley, a concession that allowed the Pennsylvania
territory to grow westward and pushed the Iroquois into Wis-
consin and Canada.
The Goal of Expansion
When Thomas Jefferson became the third president of the United
States in 1801, one of his chief desires was to see the fl edgling
nation expand. He organized the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and
sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their famed journey
to explore that area and parts westward the following year. One of
the goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was to befriend Na-
tive tribes and secure peaceful trade. Jefferson believed it would
be in America’s best interest to convince the Indians to cooperate
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their guide Sacagawea explore
the lower Columbia River. President Jefferson hoped the expedition
would help improve relations with Native tribes and expand trade.
