Trade
Europeans and Native Americans
of the Northeast during the 18th
Century.
Objective: To be able to recognize the
importance and impact of trade
between Natives and Europeans
Prior Knowledge
This lessons presupposes that students are
aware of:
• Native American groups, lifestyles, and
use of natural resources to meet their
needs
• Reasons for European exploration and
claims
Anticipatory Set
• Describe what you
notice in this picture.
• Explain the setting.
• What do you think is
happening?
• Who are the people?
• What are questions
you have about this
picture?
Day 1 - Trading Activity
Students will participate in a trading activity
• Each group will be provided with one classroom
item to trade (several will be provided, ie. 8
pencils)
• The object will be to acquire through trade as
many different items needed for the task as the
group can accumulate within a time limit.
• (teacher may assign a specific task requiring
items in the trade and/or provide varying
numbers of resources to each group)
William Johnson Papers
Record of trade items shipped to William Johnson.
Look at the list of items that were being traded to the Indians.
Why Trade? (Native Americans)
Traditional stone axe
Which would be more useful to the
Native Americans?
European-made metal axe
Why Trade? (Native Americans)
Both of these pots serve the same purpose, why
would the Native Americans choose the metal?
Old clay pots
European-made metal pot
Why Trade? (Native Americans)
Given the choice between these two, which
one would you choose? Why?
Deerskin
European-made wool blankets
Why Trade? (Europeans)
Beaver Hats
Why was beaver pelt more valuable to
the Europeans than other furs?
Beaver pelt
William Johnson Papers
Record of trade items shipped to William Johnson.
Look at the list of items that were being traded to the Indians.
Name 3 different types of items that were being traded with the Native
Americans.
Why would these things be important (valuable) to the Native Americans?
What would the Native Americans be trading for these items?
Culminating Activity
You will take the role of a Native American or
European and write a journal entry about your
experience in trading.
• What were they trading?
• How would trade items improve their lifestyle?
• What items did they bring for trade and why was
that item valuable to the other group?
• Hand in your journal as a rough draft, your final
draft will be turned in on another piece of paper.
Alternative Activities
• Classroom Trading Post (see
www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/ca/clas
sroom_trading_post.pdf)
• Trade today – Students look at their shirt tags to
see where their shirt was made – map them on a
world map and discuss or research how things
move today.
• Guest speaker representing Native American
perspectives on trade
• Field trip to a fur trading post
Works Cited
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/9teen87/3894258536/
• http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/west/teachers/boles/student_
work/west_web5/cathyk.htm (trading)
• Vol.6 of the Sir William Johnson papers
• http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Old-Cauldron-Shape-Worn-MetalCopper-Rustic-Plant-Pot-/160499045289
• http://coloradoleathergoods.com/Deerskin.htm
• http://hubpages.com/hub/VintageWoolBlanket
• http://www.thefurtrapper.com/fur_trappers.htm
• http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/advertis/ad
ob-03e.shtml (beaver hat)
• http://www.longislandcostume.com/hats2.html (tricorn
hat)