In a paragraph, explain why you think Thomas Jerfferson financed the expeditions of Lewis and Clark and ZebuIon Pike. Tell what you think were the most important discoveries of these expeditions

The expeditions were part of Thomas Jefferson's visionary project to expand West. There were many discoveries of places, species and navigable rivers that were not seen before by Americans.

Explanation:

Thomas Jefferson financed the expeditions of Lewis and Clark and Zebulon Pike because he was in favor of American expansionism and he wanted information on the native communities in the unexplored or unexpanded regions of the United States. In the case of Pike's expedition, Jefferson shared its results with Congress. He told the representatives about Pike's conversations with the Sioux in his journey up the Mississippi as a favorable place for a military and commercial post for the United States. Each was a part of Jefferson's visionary project to explore the American West.

The most important discoveries of these expeditions were the following:

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition called the Corps of Discovery, where they navigated the Mississippi River and the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The explorers also found at least 178 plants and 122 animals they described. Zebulon Pike tried to find the source of the Mississippi River which he mistakenly identified as Lake Leech (it is actually Lake Itasca). He explored the Rockies and eventually entered Spanish territory where he was arrested and taken to Santa Fe. It is believed he is the first American to see what is now New Mexico.