American Indian

American Indian Government and Trade

5th Grade

Social Studies

Article : American Indian Trade Routes

Background Knowledge

American Indians had extensive trade routes across the continent. Archeological evidence has shown obsidian and flint in Pennsylvania. These two stones are found in the Rocky Mountain regions. The networks of rivers were used as highways. These geographic features were prominent in the French and Indian War in 1755. The many trails that colonists and frontiersmen used were established centuries ago on the trade routes of the American Indians. Many major highways and interstate roadways in the 21st century follow trails used by traders thousands of years ago.

Open Ended

1a) Why do you think that resources were found so far away from where they were discovered?

Open Ended

3. Compare the “American Indian Trade Routes” map with a major roads and cities map. Ask students the following questions:

a.

Multiple Choice

In trading, what were rivers and waterways used as?

• highways for transportation

• recreation

• irrigation

• barriers

Multiple Choice

What did the Hohokam in the Arizona region trade?

• adobe bricks for fish

• hot peppers for maize

• tepee poles for goats

• buffalo hides for seashells

Multiple Choice

What stone was so valuable 4,000 years ago that it was traded far from the quarry?

• diamonds

• coal

• flint

• redstone

Government of the American Indians

Open Ended

A. How does our government work?

B. Who is in charge of our government?

Multiple Choice

Leaders from many groups come together in a Grand Council in which type of government?

• democracy

• confederacy

• monarchy

• republic

Multiple Choice

What was the Iroquois' constitution called?

• the Great Law of Peace

• the Preamble

• the Community Compact

• the National Law

Multiple Choice

What are government groups of people related to each other by families called?

• dynasties

• reunions

• clans

• get - togethers