Zebulon Pike: Explorer of the Louisiana Territory
This paper examines the life and expeditions of Zebulon Pike, an early American soldier-explorer of the Louisiana Territory. It outlines his first expedition in 1805 to find the source of the Mississippi River and his second, more controversial expedition in 1806 into the Rocky Mountains and toward the Rio Grande. The paper discusses the murky intentions behind both missions, including the role of General James Wilkinson—a suspected double agent for Spain—and the theory that Pike's second expedition was a covert spy mission. It also explains why Pike's explorations have remained historically overshadowed by those of Lewis and Clark.
- Introduction: Pike's Place in American Exploration: Pike's role as explorer of Louisiana Territory
- The First Expedition: Searching for the Source of the Mississippi: 1805 mission to find Mississippi River's source
- The Second Expedition: Into the Rocky Mountains: 1806 expedition toward the Rockies and Rio Grande
- Pawnee Territory and the Question of Allegiance: Encounter with Pawnee and Spanish flag incident
- Why Pike's Explorations Remain Obscure: Reasons Pike's legacy is historically overshadowed
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What makes this paper effective
- It situates Pike clearly within the broader context of early American exploration, immediately noting his relationship to the more famous Lewis and Clark expeditions.
- It maintains a logical chronological structure, moving from the first expedition to the second before addressing the broader question of Pike's historical legacy.
- It acknowledges historical ambiguity honestly, noting that the true intentions of Pike's missions remain disputed to this day.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates the technique of contextual framing—placing a lesser-known historical figure alongside a famous one (Lewis and Clark) to highlight both similarities and contrasts. This helps readers immediately understand Pike's relative significance and the reasons for his obscurity.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a biographical and contextual introduction to Pike, then devotes separate sections to each of his two expeditions in chronological order. It closes with an evaluative section explaining why Pike's legacy has been diminished by historical ambiguity, incomplete discoveries, and the questionable motives of his patron, General Wilkinson. Two cited sources from children's educational publishers suggest this is an introductory-level research paper.
Introduction: Pike's Place in American Exploration
Zebulon Pike was a soldier best known as an early explorer of the Louisiana Territory. His expedition from St. Louis into the Louisiana Purchase was as significant for the nation as that of Lewis and Clark, who had preceded him in their explorations. Pike is remembered for two expeditions he led into the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. His first mission was to find the source of the Mississippi River, and the second was to explore the regions surrounding the Arkansas and Red Rivers.
Despite the importance of his journeys, Pike's explorations have always been overshadowed by those of Lewis and Clark. This is mainly because his missions were questionable in terms of their true intentions. It was suspected that he was acting as a spy, or that he carried secret military orders aimed at provoking war with Spain.
The First Expedition: Searching for the Source of the Mississippi
The first exploration by Zebulon Pike began in August 1805. General James Wilkinson, who was the governor of the Louisiana Territory, sent Pike on this mission to find the source of the Mississippi River. General Wilkinson was a double agent for Spain and harbored other ulterior motives for sending Pike on these expeditions. The mission also called for Pike to purchase sites from American Indian tribes—sites that were intended for future military posts. Pike was further instructed to bring a few important chiefs back with him to St. Louis for diplomatic talks.
Pike took a force of twenty men on his first expedition and departed from Fort Bellefontaine aboard a seventy-foot keelboat. He and his men explored the Mississippi River into what is now the state of Minnesota, traveling to Cass Lake, which they incorrectly identified as the source of the river. Although Pike did not find the true source, he did conduct important diplomatic talks with various tribes in the regions through which he and his men passed.
References
Maynard, C. W. Zebulon Pike: Soldier-Explorer of the American Southwest. New York, NY: PowerKids Press, 2003.
Magoon, K., and M. Mayberry. The Zebulon Pike Expedition. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing Company, 2009.
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