Some people believe so. They believe this because the Corps of Discovery were not the first non-native people to explore the area; they also feel this because they did not find n all water route linking the Atlantic to the Pacific. However, contrary to their beliefs, the journey was significant. The Corps of Discovery contributed new geographic and scientific knowledge about the west. Without this knowledge, the west wouldn’t have gotten inhabited so quickly. They also aided in expanding the fur trade, Indians were now open to trading. Another important happening was the fact that this expedition strengthened the U.S. claims to the Pacific. With the history behind this expedition, people understand why it even needed to happen. It wasn’t to run the Native American’s out or to find an all water route to the Pacific. It was to expand our land and to know what kind of people, animals, and plants were out there. Thanks to Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark the people knew what was in the rest of the country; making them feel safe and secure with the country they live