Final answer:
The 1804 expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, known as the Corps of Discovery, and tasked with mapping the new land and identifying potential trade routes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1804, the expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. President Thomas Jefferson appointed these leaders to establish an expedition known as the Corps of Discovery. Their mission was to map the territory, discover commercial possibilities, establish trade routes, and gather scientific data on the geography, flora, fauna, and the native tribes encountered. Although they did not find an all-water route to the Pacific, known as the Northwest Passage, the expedition provided a wealth of information and greatly expanded the United States' geographical knowledge.