Final answer:
Lewis and Clark were qualified to explore the West due to their skills, knowledge, and experience in botany, cartography, military leadership, and scientific observation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lewis and Clark were qualified to conduct the exploration of the West due to their skills, knowledge, and experience. Meriwether Lewis had been Thomas Jefferson's personal secretary and had gained extensive knowledge of the president's goals for the expedition. He was also knowledgeable in botany, cartography, and scientific observation. William Clark was an experienced military leader and had previously led several expeditions in the West. Together, they possessed the necessary skills for mapping and documenting the territory, establishing relationships with Native American tribes, and navigating the challenging terrain.