1. Lesson 4 Unit 3 Social Studies – Michigan History
French Explorers
Lesson 4
Unit 3 Social Studies – Michigan History

2. French Explorers
Europeans loved goods imported from China like silk and spices!
But….goods became scarce in Europe.
So….explorers decided to travel to China to get more.

3. How Did They Get There?

4. French Explorers
Explorers thought they could sail west around the world to get to China instead of travel on land.
But…they realized there was something in the way (a continent called North America!)
Got as far as the Great Lakes and discovered a valuable item....
First explorer to try and sail across the ocean – 1492

5. Beavers Beavers extinct in Europe People liked their fur!
Fur was used to make:
Clothing
Fur hats

6. Fur Trade French Native Americans
Killed beavers and other fur-bearing animals
Traded furs to French for:
Guns
Cloth blankets
Knives
Cooking pots
Other goods
French
Went to Native American villages to trade
Then, they began building trading posts
Trading Posts were built near….

7. Voyageurs Voyageurs played a big role in fur trade
They were the people, almost all men, that transported the furs through the Great Lakes to Montreal, Canada where they were shipped to France
Used canoes to transport furs
Paddled up to 18 hours per day!
Sometimes, they had to carry canoes, furs, and supplies over land

8. French Explorers & The Environment
USED
CHANGED
ADAPTED
• They used rivers and lakes for travel.
• They used trees for many different things including houses and canoes.
• They used beaver furs for hats.
• They cleared land to create forts and trading posts.
• They cut down trees to make things like houses and canoes.
• They were responsible for the removal of a large number of animals especially beavers.
• They learned to adapt to the four seasons of Michigan.
• They built houses using the natural resources around them.
• They learned how to use rivers and lakes as highways.