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Lecture 3 began with the idea of a "Great American Desert." Ralph C. Morris came up with the idea. This lecture also covered the explorers and their motives. The Spanish were the first European explorers on the Great Plains. Coronado's expedition was to find the Seven Cities of Cibola. His expedition was considered a failure because he found no gold. Spanish imperial claim was laid on the area, though. The French motives were about trade. Fur companies explored the Mississippi River Valley. The Verendrye's were a famous French exploring family at the time. The American motive was to find resources across the Plains and also commerce along the Pacific. The Corps of Discovery led by Lewis and Clark crossed the Plains and formed an image of the Plains for the American public. Zebulon Pike and Stephen Long also led scientific missions across the Plains. British and British Canadian explorers sought to develop the Plains. Henry Hind and John Palliser were two important figures for British Canadian exploration of the Plains.

I found the expedition by the Corps of Discovery and Lewis and Clark to be very interesting because I'm from Mandan. Lewis and Clark have a huge impact on the area, and the expedition creates a lot of tourism. Candy shops in Mandan sell Lewis & Clark and Sakakawea candy bars. Motorcycle tours come through the area on the path of their journey. I even went to Lewis and Clark Elementary school (our nickname was the Trailblazers). I just think it's interesting that an expedition that was important back then is still very important today.