Manuel Lisa was a merchant and fur trader. In 1807 Lisa led the first trading expedition to the upper Missouri River in what is now Montana in search of new trading and fur-trapping opportunities. An ambitious risk-taker, Lisa told William Clark, “I go a great distance, while some are considering whether they will start today or tomorrow.” He became an important figure in the fur trade but died without achieving the financial success he sought.
What Do You Wonder?Why did/do people trap small animals? What types of items would trappers trade for? What would people like Manuel Lisa need to know about Native Americans? | What Do You Notice?How do you know Manuel Lisa was a confident man? Why did fur trappers have to go farther and farther west to find more furs? What famous explorers are mentioned in the reading? |
While We're On the Topic
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