Who led the expedition across the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley in 1716?

The correct answer highlights the significant role of Alexander Spotswood in early American exploration and settlement. In 1716, as the Governor of Virginia, he organized an expedition to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. This expedition was crucial for several reasons: it expanded British knowledge of the vast territories in the west, facilitated future settlement, and showcased the potential for economic growth in areas previously considered remote.

Spotswood was motivated by both a desire to claim land for Virginia and to demonstrate the possibilities for trade and resource extraction. The expedition also aimed to establish a route through the mountains, improve communication with western territories, and strengthen the colonial foothold against potential French and Native American claims.

While other figures mentioned, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were significant in the history of Virginia and American expansion, they were not involved in this particular 1716 expedition. Washington would later lead his own exploratory expeditions, and Jefferson, while a major figure in the Virginia and American landscape, came into prominence after Spotswood's expedition. James Madison is primarily known for his role in the drafting of the Constitution and did not have a direct connection to this specific exploration effort.