b) Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was the visionary behind the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Fascinated by the prospects of new discoveries, Jefferson sought to explore and map the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. His interest in science, exploration, and expansionism drove this mission. Under his leadership, the expedition laid the groundwork for westward expansion, provided valuable information about the vast lands and diverse Native American tribes, and asserted American interests in the western frontier, shaping the country’s destiny for generations.