Exploration and Empire: The Explorer and the Scientist in the Winning of the American West

By William H. Goetzmann

The Role of Exploration in National Development

In Exploration and Empire, William H. Goetzmann challenges the conventional narrative of Western exploration as a series of haphazard adventures. Instead, he argues that these expeditions were carefully orchestrated missions designed to promote national development. Through a deep dive into explorers' diaries and letters, Goetzmann contrasts U.S.-sponsored missions with private British ventures, such as those led by the Hudson’s Bay Company, which were driven by commercial interests.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The work highlights the pivotal role of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. They embarked with a clear national purpose to collect information on natural history, including everything from geology to Indian languages. This expedition marked a turning point, setting the tone for subsequent missions aimed at expanding the United States' knowledge and territorial claims.

Later Eras of Exploration and Settlement

Goetzmann further explores the two major periods of exploration that followed the Lewis and Clark expedition: the era of settlement and investment (1845–1860), and the great scientific surveys (1860–1900). During the first, explorers like John B. Weller and John Russell Bartlett also acted as political diplomats, surveying the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. By the latter period, exploration was no longer about discovery, but scientific research. Figures such as Josiah Dwight Whitney focused on geology and conservation, shaping 20th-century attitudes toward the environment.

ISBN Information

ISBN-13: 9780393008814

ISBN-10: 0393008819