Lesson Two: The Rise and Fall of the Fur Trade

Focus Questions:

• How did the fur trade change after the War of 1812?

• Who introduced steamboat travel to the Missouri River? Why was this important?

• What brought about the end of the fur trade?

Imbedded Information In The Student Lesson:

Jedediah Smith; Hugh Glass; Pierre Chouteau, Jr.

Worksheet:

A Changing Land Crossword Puzzle

Classroom Activities:

     Have students study pictures of the keelboat, bullboat (there is another example in Unit 2 under Mandan Indian village), and the steamboat. The map of South Dakota rivers in Lesson 1 should also be consulted. Then ask the students to draw a poster illustrating Missouri River travel during the fur trade.