 Great Lakes  Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior  Largest freshwater lakes in the world  Formed by glaciers that melted after the Ice Age  Connecting to the World  Links the Midwest with the rest of the world  Through waterways, canals, and locks  Locks allows water level to be adjusted in canals or rivers

 Better to transport goods by sea or land??  Barges  Help transport goods by water  Move large objects long distances for CHEAP prices  Use less fuel and require less maintenance  Disadvantages  SLOW  No door-to-door service  Freight Trains  Carry much heavier loads than trucks  Faster speeds

 Located in South Dakota  Region of dry hills and sharp cliffs formed of crumbling rocks  Among the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S.  Carved out by rain, wind, rivers  Badlands National Park  Dinosaur fossils are still being uncovered  Home to many unique animals  Prairie dogs, porcupines, reptiles, and bison

 Lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan  Covered in thick forests  Excellent for hunting  Poor for farming  Fishing was their main source of food  Canoes were their main source of transportation  Fur Trade  French traded cloth, gun, and knives for furs from animals  No longer self-sufficient

 Steamboats  Bigger and faster than human- powered boats  Railroads  Rail lines could be built almost anywhere  Weather did not affect train travel as much  Automobiles  People liked being on their own schedule  Midwest’s highways are very important because of its central location

 Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark out on an expedition  Wanted to expand trade  Wanted to learn about the people of the West  Met many Native American groups  Learned there was no direct water route connecting the MW with the Pacific