colonial sailboat with barrels with an American flag background

Creating Commerce: U.S. Foreign Trade in 1783

In this lesson, students will design a proposal aimed at convincing foreign investors to trade with the newly independent U.S.

Download Lesson Plan

It’s 1790. The United States is still a young and unproven nation. Foreign investors from Europe and beyond are traveling to Washington, D.C., eager to decide whether this new country is worth trading with or too risky to bother. Your mission: convince foreign investors the U.S. is a safe, profitable, and forward-looking trading partner.

In this lesson, students will step into the role of an economic ambassador for the newly formed United States. They will begin by investigating the nation’s post-Revolutionary economy, including its trade resources, infrastructure, political stability, and opportunities for growth. Then, students will work in teams to research, design, and deliver persuasive presentations aimed at attracting foreign investors and promoting new trade partnerships for the emerging nation.

Through this activity, students will develop a deeper understanding of the economic challenges faced by the fledgling nation and the foundational diplomatic trade decisions that shaped its future.

Materials & Links

Lesson Plan
Country fact sheets
U.S. Trade Pitch Student Packet
Rubric
Teacher’s presentation in Google Slides (This resource is set to “view only.” Please make a copy to modify the resource and use it with your students.)

Standards Alignment

D2.ECON.1.6-8: Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals and society.
D2.ECON.5.6-8: Explain how trade influences economies and societies.
W.5.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
V.USI.7: The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the challenges faced by the new nation.