Traders took advantage of many aboriginal peoples by getting them drunk before trading so they could get cheaper furs. His illustrated talk, entitled canadian historic sites of the fur trade, was presented at the north american fur trade conference on november 2, 1965. And a new people, the metis, emerged as the fur trade reached its height in the 1700s and 1800s. 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. The fur trade brought them useful tools as well as hard times. Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the furbearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The animals were trapped and exchanged for goods in north america, and the pelts were transported to europe for processing and final sale. 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.
Papers on the north american fur trade on november 1, 1965, the minnesota. In the centuries that followed, it was fur that provided the incentive to explore the vast interior of the continent. The beginning of the fur trade in the northern colonial united states and canada according to michael lansing, fur trade among europeans and native american tribes started up in missouri in the 1730s1740s and rose to a peak in the 1830s. As small a change in style as an increase in brim diameter could send ripples through the whole fur trade. The british claimed canada and the midwest from the french between 1759 and 1763 in the french and indian war. It was sustained primarily by the trapping of beavers to satisfy the european demand for felt hats. Fur trade changing times in the nwt grade four social studies other activities words from the fur trade quiz circle the correct answers 1. Throughout this period, the ottawa river was within the domain of the french traders, with the exception of some periods. Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents. This volume is by the associate professor of political economy in the university of toronto. It is an historiographical survey, a rather thorough compilation from. 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 implication of this statement is that the grand portage ojibwe. 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.
Now, almost seventy years later, harold inniss fundamental reinterpretation of canadian history continues to exert a magnetic influence. Canada was built on the fur trade, which supplied european demand for pelts from animals such as the beaver castor canadensis to make hats. Fur trade in canada bundle design a hudsons bay company fort, close reading, and more. During this time, the british had mostly taken over the spanish, and the french established fur trading posts. The fur trade was based on pelts destined either for the luxury clothing market or for the felting industries, of which hatting was the most important. The fur trade began in the 1500s as an exchange between indians and europeans. 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.
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. Nwc stands for a north west carrier b north west company c north west canada 3. Innis has long been regarded as one of canada s foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in. Fha has gained international recognition and respect for its stellar assortment of unique and luxurious products. Subject areas english language arts fine arts social studies objectives. However, the metis, who are sometimes considered children of the fur trade, became skilled hunters and trappers as well.
The fur trade is part of canadas resourcebased economy and one of canadas oldest and most historically significant industries. For everyday use or costume and decoration, furs have been used for the production of outterware such as coats and cape. The revenant by michael punke, across the wide missouri by bernard devoto, fur, fortune, and empire. The fur trade was the original basis for the growth, foundation, and success of canadas beginning. The canadian fur trade in the industrial age on jstor. The role of grand portage as a trading post was acknowledged indirectly around 1800 when north west company partner roderick mckenzie stated. Its historical and economic impact lesson overview. A bachelor degree in either arts or business administration majoring in fur is required from a recognized university college. Throughout this timeline you will find bolded text. Silver fox farms on prince edward island and in the yukon territory. The history of canadian trade timeline timetoast timelines.
Quality beaver pelts set the value of what things were worth and it seems that most trades were based on this value. The numbered treaties on the prairies include many provisions that first nations and the fur trade in western canada first nations and the fur trade in western canada. Canada would be a very different place without the fur trade, but the lives of indigenous people would also be completely different. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canada challenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. In some places, alcohol was the only item offered for trade. The economic revolution affected all areas of the country, and in the north the fur trade remained in flux. The fur trading industry played a major role in the development of the united states and canada for more than 300 years. Fur brokers, wholesalers and manufacturers have consistently been satisfied with the extraordinary selection of wild fur. The expo was a great success which elevated our registered trade mark brand in china. Both furtrading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. Early european colonization 1600 to 1763 the following files are presented in adobe pdf and msword. This timeline spans from our countrys earliest inhabitants to the present. The fur trade was one of the earliest and most important industries in north america.
China is canadas second largest trading partner in the world. Mistahimaskwa big bear 4th from left, a plains cree chief, trading fur at fort pitt, n. In this book, the fur trade is examined not simply as an economic activity but as a social and cultural complex that was to. The blackline masters blms below are in adobe pdf and msword. Four hundred years following its start, the commercial fur trade continues to use a plentiful canadian resource in a sustainable and responsible manner and is an important contributor to canadas economy and ecology. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. The earliest fur traders in north america were french explorers and fishermen who arrived in what is now eastern canada during the early 1500s.
Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book. 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. Suitable for grades 5 and up accessrestricteditem true addeddate 20180427 02. It allows students to see how our cultural identity and economic system were rooted in the fur trade.
Jul 23, 20 the fur trade was a vast commercial enterprise across the wild, forested expanse of what is now canada. The fur trade was very important to the settlement of canada. Beginning with the founding of the hudsons bay company in 1670, the fur trade dominated the development of the canadian west. Innis has long been regarded as one of canada s foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in one. Although detailed accounts of the furtrade era have appeared, until recently the rich social history has been ignored. At times, people tried to control the use of liquor as a trade item. 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. Many great explorers traveled and explored canada due to the fur trade. This lesson plan investigates the impact of the fur trade on canadas development as a nation. A basic fact of life was that in most places it was simply. Wealthy europeans were eager to buy hats made of beaver fur and the supply here was plentiful.
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. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canadachallenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. The role of native american women in the fur trade in the. It was at its peak for nearly 250 years, from the early 17th to the mid19th centuries.
Canadas fur trade a timeline fur institute of canada. The redivision of the continent begun by the american revolution had been intensified by rivalry in the fur trade. The rise of the fur trade in the colonial context is a story of both supply and demand. It is something in your environment that you can use to survive what is an endangered species. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. The skin of an animal with the fur, wool, or hair still on it. The fur trade was a vast commercial enterprise across the wild, forested expanse of what is now canada. Chipeways about the grand portage are few in numberaccustomed to opposition in trade they are extremely difficult to deal with. Grand portage as a trading post national park service.
The british supplied the capital, and the french voyageurs supplied. List of books and articles about fur trade and trappers. This forced the hudsons bay and north west company to join forces. The north american fur trade was an industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. Fha, located in north bay, ontario canada is the source of the finest wild fur for the international fur fashion industry. A voyageur is a a banker b a paddler c very strong 2.
An introduction to canadian economic history by innis h a and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. At the start of the fur trade, the first nations did most of the trapping. 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. 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. Both fur trading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company.
The final group of articles presents the viewpoints of allied disciplines. From both an historic and contemporary perspective, students inves. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book for. The metis began making a living as trappers by the end of the 1700s. This is a fun roleplay game introducing students to the beaver pelt trade in canada. 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 bea ve r. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity. Posts of the canadian fur trade open government portal. Europeans participated in the trade from the time of their arrival in the new. Furcanada is proud to support canadas fur trade our booth at the first china international import expo in shanghai november 2018. 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 animals trapped for the fur trade have become a great resource due to fur qualities. Were the first to trade in furs but the british also traded furs.
The intensely competitive trade opened the continent. Until the late 19th century, canada produced exclusively wild fur, but today about a third of. 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. Even so, liquor became an important trade item of the fur trade. Trade started after the french offered the indians kettles, knives, and other gifts as a means to establish friendly relations. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. Minimum 5 years experience in fur design, pattern making, fur machine use and fur cutting is required. Historically the trade stimulated the exploration and colonization of siberia, northern north america, and the south shetland and. The indians traded furs for such goods as tools and weapons. Students will explore how the fur trade led to the development of the west. The fur trade is also important to treatymaking because many of the precedents that were developed during the fur trade period were later adopted during the treatymaking period.
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