Final answer:
Lewis and Clark were sent by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory from 1804 to 1806, to assess commercial potential and find trade routes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory for several purposes. The primary goal of their expedition, which occurred from 1804 to 1806, was to discover commercial possibilities of the new lands and to explore potential trade routes, particularly a passage to Asian markets. This was essential due to the limited geographical knowledge of the time and the unknown extent of the territory that the United States had recently acquired. Lewis and Clark's contributions expanded the nation's understanding of the vast region, laying the groundwork for future development and settlement.