The fur trade cafe historica canada education portal. Canada and the fur trade history of the canadian fur trade. Britain and europe first set up colonies in the area that is now canada in the 1600s. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. The trade remained the economic foundation of western canada until about 1870. This activity includes a five minute animated movie that explains how the fur trade started, how made beaver tokens were used and the dynamic of a canadian trading post in in the 17th and 18th century. For everyday use or costume and decoration, furs have been used for the production of outterware such as coats and cape, garment and shoe lining.
The fur trade is woven into the fabric of canadian history. Most of the worlds farmed fur is produced by european farmers. A guide to publications relating to the area now british columbia. Published through the oliver baty cunningham memorial publication fund. Fur trade essayswhen the europeans came to america, there were fur bearings animals everywhere. He was chief of historical research for parks canada, prairie region. The british claimed canada and the midwest from the french between 1759 and 1763 in the french and indian war. Throughout this timeline you will find bolded text.
The fur trade was the original basis for the growth, foundation, and success of canadas beginning. There were only so many furs and the question became who was going to secure and dominate the trade. The french fur trade of montreal had been taken over by british american traders who conducted the trade. The fur trade in canada the following timeline gives an overview of the history of the fur trade in canada.
Fur trade timeline red lake regional heritage centre. The economic revolution affected all areas of the country, and in the north the fur trade remained in flux. The epic history of the fur trade in america dolin, eric jay on. History of the fur trade in canada this text was written by harold a. Quality beaver pelts set the value of what things were worth and it seems that most trades were based on this value. The fur trade set the tone for european exploration of north america and established the very foundation of canada. The fur trade is part of canadas resourcebased economy and one of canadas oldest and most historically significant industries. Canada was transformed from a predominantly agricultural and rural nation to an urban industrial one during the seventyfive years between confederation and the end of the second world war. The war of 1812 can largely be traced to the anglou. Four hundred years following its start, the commercial fur trade continues to utilize a plentiful sustainable canadian resource in a responsible manner and is an important contributor to the canadian economy and ecology. First nations and the fur trade in western canada first nations and the fur trade in western canada the fur trade first nations have been trading in north america since time immemorial.
We did this screencast for our social studies curriculm class at the university of alberta. The fur trade was one of the earliest and most important industries in north america. The best quality of furs came from the north, the reason why, is because in the north the animals needed a thicker coat to protect themselves from the harsher winter. After the american revolution, many probritish loyalists fled to. This fur trade was controlled by large firms, such as the hudsons bay company and thus produced the much more centralized, businessoriented society that.
Origins of the metis nation first peoples of canada. It was the countrys second major industry, after fishing. Now, almost seventy years later, harold inniss fundamental reinterpretation of canadian history continues to exert a magnetic influence. Fur trade organization and architecture history and organization inland fur trade posts emerged in the early 1780s, when european traders moved along the major waterways into the interior of western canada to trade for furs with the natives. Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in one. In this book, extensively illustrated with visuals from some of canada s most prominent museums and archives, historian michael payne explores the personalities and events that shaped this powerful business. After the american revolution, many probritish loyalists fled to canada. Voyageurs and the fur trade webquest uses a website that allow students to get a better understanding of the voyageurs and the fur trade.
French canadian fur traders married and cohabited with native women. The french gained a monopoly in the fur trade because of this settlement. By the end of the nineteenth century, approximately fur trade posts had been constructed be. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Native americans traded furs, deer hides, and meat for iron tools, wool blankets, colorful cloth, and guns. Both furtrading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. A commercial fur trade in north america grew out of the early contact between indians and european fisherman who were netting cod on the grand banks off newfoundland and on the bay of gaspe near quebec. The first north american fur trading post was established at quebec in 1608. As such it is a contribution to the economic history of canada. Fur used from animals caught in the wild is not considered farmed fur, and is instead known as wild fur. This volume is by the associate professor of political economy in the university of toronto. The fur trade and western canadian society, 16701870.
The fur trade through the eyes of first nations woman, metis woman, and a first nations child. The implication of this statement is that the grand portage ojibwe. Europeans participated in the trade from the time of their arrival in the new world, extending the trade s reach. If you can, what issues might you need to consider.
The role of grand portage as a trading post was acknowledged indirectly around 1800 when north west company partner roderick mckenzie stated. A study of the fur trade from its beginnings on the atlantic coast to the time of writing. The fur trade also determined the relatively peaceful patterns of indigenouseuropean relations in canada. The north american fur trade was industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. Canada would be a very different place without the fur trade, but the lives of indigenous people would also be completely different.
The image of the lone trapper taking his leave of civilization and daringly plunging into the wilderness to meet grizzly bears, harsh winters, mountain lions, and american indians has sparked the imaginations of millions. Chipeways about the grand portage are few in numberaccustomed to opposition in trade they are extremely difficult to deal with. Fur trade in preconfederation canada and british columbia. Fur trade in canada bundle design a hudsons bay company fort, close reading, and more. In 1759, britain invaded and conquered frances north american colonies, making northern north america entirely british. The following timeline gives an overview of the history of the fur trade in canada. Suitable for grades 5 and up includes bibliographical references page 91 and index illustrated history of the fur trade in canada. Claiming the wilderness 1670 to 1755 yeandle31 history channel. An introduction to canadian economic history ubc library open collections. From quebec to the great lakes the archaeology of the forts and settlements of the frontier. The purpose of the present volume is to define the furtrade canoe. Canada was built on the fur trade, which supplied european demand for pelts from animals such as the beaver castor canadensis to make hats. Posts of the canadian fur trade contained within the 4th edition 1974 of the atlas of canada is a map that shows locations of fur trading posts for the period 1600 to 1870. Suitable for grades 5 and up includes bibliographical references page 91 and index.
For many, when we reflect on canada s history and the economic value provided by the fur trade, we think of french canadian voyageurs, the hudsons bay company and inevitably, canada s national symbol, castor canadensis, the beaver. Traders took advantage of many aboriginal peoples by getting them drunk before trading so they could get cheaper furs. A course for independent studyfield validation version. With this development, british traders from canada and even a few american colonials entered the great lakes fur trade, although french canadians continued to constitute the bulk of traders going west. The fur trade was the original basis for the growth, foundation, and success of canada s beginning. An introduction to canadian economic history, is an in depth look at the canadian fur trade, and an application of staples thesis where regional development is reliant on the characteristics of staple resources and their trade and business organizations. For years canadian historians have given us glib generalizations on the importanceof the fur trade, have speculated about peter pondsmap, or have written vaguelyand ignorantly of the romance of the fur trade. Mistahimaskwa big bear 4th from left, a plains cree chief, trading fur at fort pitt, n. Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the furbearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. This timeline spans from our countrys earliest inhabitants to the present. Some of the worksheets for this concept are teaching resource kit david thompson fur trade and, fur trade teacher guide, the fur trade contact and commerce between indians and, european exploration and colonization of america country, colonizing new france c, hbc and the fur trade, growth of new york during early. The fur trade join monty on an expedition to discover the archaeology of the fur trade. Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur. Posts of the canadian fur trade open government portal.
The fur trade was a hugely important industry for the early colonists. Both fur trading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canada challenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. At times, people tried to control the use of liquor as a trade item. The history of canadian trade timeline created by skarasmanis. The history of canadian trade timeline timetoast timelines. An engaging new look at this compelling era in canadian history. Fur trapping continues as a cash crop in frontier areas, but as a way of life it is confined to a few northern areas. The fur trade began in the 1500s as an exchange between indians and europeans. Grand portage as a trading post national park service. The redivision of the continent begun by the american revolution had been intensified by rivalry in the fur trade. Acknowledgementsvii ac k n o w l e d g e m e n t s manitoba education gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following individuals in the development of grade 11 history of canada 30f.
History of the fur trade the fur trade in north america began during the 1500s when europeans explored the eastern coast. Tins is the book in canadian history which most neededwriting, and mr. Since the establishment of a world fur market in the early modern period, furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued. The focus of this webquest is the fur trade around the great lakes that to development of canada and the united states. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. This is a fun roleplay game introducing students to the beaver pelt trade in canada. Displaying top 8 worksheets found for colonial fur trade.
With this development, british traders from canada and even a few american colonials entered the great lakes fur trade, although french canadians continued to. Jun 24, 2014 for many, when we reflect on canadas history and the economic value provided by the fur trade, we think of french canadian voyageurs, the hudsons bay company and inevitably, canadas national symbol, castor canadensis, the beaver. The architecture of the western canadian fur trade. It is an historiographical survey, a rather thorough compilation from. At the start of the fur trade, the first nations did most of the trapping. From its beginnings as the largest land owner in north america, to its role in the french and indian war, this is a brief history of the hudsons bay company. In some places, alcohol was the only item offered for trade. The mountain man and his part in western history has been shaded in myth.
Morgan, who has written widely about the fur trade, is on the staff of the bancroft library in the university of california at berkeley. Wealthy europeans were eager to buy hats made of beaver fur and the supply here was plentiful. Canadas fur trade a timeline fur institute of canada. Impact of colonization on first peoples societies in bc and canada history of local community and of local first. Welcome to fur trade stories, a unique presentation of primary and secondary resources found in the collections of canada s national history society, hbca archives of manitoba, the manitoba museum, parks canada and several first nations communities. Jun 29, 2017 the fur trade museum, in lachine, housed in a stone fur warehouse built in 1803 by north west company stockholder alexander gordon, is an excellent place to learn about montreals furtrade history. Inuit soapstone trade by david morrison, history of the american museum of. The fur trading industry played a major role in the development of the united states and canada for more than 300 years.
Canadian fur trade banned in the us 1816 after the war of 1812, the american government passed a law which made it illegal for canadians to trade furs in the united states. This forced the hudsons bay and north west company to join forces. Much has been written on the history of the canadian fur trade, but less on its geography. The french fur trade of montreal had been taken over by british american traders who conducted the trade with the aid of french experience and skill. The final group of articles presents the viewpoints of allied disciplines. This paper was published in the spring, 1966, issue of the american west and is reprinted with permission as it appeared there. As a result, when europeans arrived in north america in the late 15th century, these existing trade networks made it easier for europeans to access.
A brief history of the beaver trade the role of beaver in the european fur trade prized for their warmth, luxurious texture, and the longevity of fur as a material, furs have played a large role in clothing people since the beginning of human history. The fur trade museum, in lachine, housed in a stone fur warehouse built in 1803 by north west company stockholder alexander gordon, is an excellent place to learn about montreals furtrade history. Your group has been transported back though time to the period of the fur trade in canada prior to confederation. A major contribution to canadian history grade 11 enriched history essay assignment using the criteria below, develop a 400600 word essay outlining the history of the fur trade in canada and the contribution in made to canada today. The first known owner of the post france, england, canadian independent, xy company, north west company or hudsons bay company and the known length of operation are. Even so, liquor became an important trade item of the fur trade. It provided the motive for the exploration of much of the country.
History of the fur trade montana trappers association. In central canada, the main staple was fur, and the fur trade dominated the economy for many years. Your goal will be to create and perform a dramatic presentation to share your perspective of the social and economic impact of the fur trade through the eyes of your assigned roleplaying characters. Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the fur bearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. European interests in the fur trade shaped canadian history by leading to increased colonial exploration and development of canada west and north. British traders and soldiers had supplied indian tribes and afforded them moral support in their contest with the advancing u. The canadian fur trade in the industrial age on jstor. Course cowriters connie wyatt anderson oscar lathlin collegiate gwendolyn browne manitoba education. The fur trade is part of canada s resourcebased economy and one of canada s oldest and most historically significant industries.
John askin todd and mcgill fur trading company, montreal, canada. Both furtrading companies are discussed, but there is a great er focus on the hudsons bay company. This 40 page canadian fur trade unit bundle provides students with everything they need to complete a comprehensive common core aligned inquiry unit on the fur trade. From both an historic and contemporary perspective, students inves. Britain had surrendered the western posts by the jay treaty of 1794, but the cause of the canadian fur trade and of the indians remained the.