Claiming the wilderness 1670 to 1755 yeandle31 history channel. A history of the fur trade is complementary to a history of the recent industrial growth of canada. 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 in canada the following timeline gives an overview of the history of the fur trade in canada. At the start of the fur trade, the first nations did most of the trapping.
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. Suitable for grades 5 and up includes bibliographical references page 91 and index illustrated history of the fur trade in canada. Most of the worlds farmed fur is produced by european farmers. The implication of this statement is that the grand portage ojibwe. The final group of articles presents the viewpoints of allied disciplines. The role of grand portage as a trading post was acknowledged indirectly around 1800 when north west company partner roderick mckenzie stated. Even so, liquor became an important trade item of the fur trade.
We did this screencast for our social studies curriculm class at the university of alberta. Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the furbearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. 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. Historically, the fur trade played a singular role in the development of canada. Document source scanned from a cihm microfiche of the original publication held by the library division, provincial archives of british columbia. The evolving canadian fur trade history 1944 words bartleby. The architecture of the western canadian fur trade. 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. An introduction to canadian economic history by innis h a and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. History of the fur trade the fur trade in north america began during the 1500s when europeans explored the eastern coast. At times, people tried to control the use of liquor as a trade item. The fur trading industry played a major role in the development of the united states and canada for more than 300 years.
Traders took advantage of many aboriginal peoples by getting them drunk before trading so they could get cheaper furs. Canada would be a very different place without the fur trade, but the lives of indigenous people would also be completely different. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. As such it is a contribution to the economic history of canada. 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. Fur trade in canada bundle design a hudsons bay company fort, close reading, and more. Both furtrading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. The british claimed canada and the midwest from the french between 1759 and 1763 in the french and indian war. This timeline spans from our countrys earliest inhabitants to the present. The epic history of the fur trade in america dolin, eric jay on. Jul 23, 20 it also marked the end of the historic fur trade. 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 with the aid of french experience and skill.
Pdf the fur trade is one of the foundational historical aspects that wrote the storyline of canadas four western provinces due to its impact on. The redivision of the continent begun by the american revolution had been intensified by rivalry in the fur trade. Fur trapping continues as a cash crop in frontier areas, but as a way of life it is confined to a few northern areas. 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. The fur trade began in the 1500s as an exchange between indians and europeans.
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 fur trade was the original basis for the growth, foundation, and success of canadas beginning. Wealthy europeans were eager to buy hats made of beaver fur and the supply here was plentiful. And a new people, the metis, emerged as the fur trade reached its height in the 1700s and 1800s.
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. Native americans traded furs, deer hides, and meat for iron tools, wool blankets, colorful cloth, and guns. Pdf aboriginal women of western canada from 1670 to 1867. The great explorers radisson and des groseilliers set out from new france to discover new sources of fur north and west of the great lakes and charted a. 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. 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. The north american fur trade was industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. The fur trade was a hugely important industry for the early colonists. In 1759, britain invaded and conquered frances north american colonies, making northern north america entirely british. The fur trade and western canadian society, 16701870.
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. The fur trade brought them useful tools as well as hard times. From both an historic and contemporary perspective, students inves. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canada challenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. Tins is the book in canadian history which most neededwriting, and mr.
The evolving canadian fur trade history shayne lloyd history 1121 thompson river university august, 24 2016 the evolving canadian fur trade history canada is known for the vast landscape diverse in natural resources that are found with in its boarders stretching from coast to. Canada was built on the fur trade, which supplied european demand for pelts from animals such as the beaver castor canadensis to make hats. It is an historiographical survey, a rather thorough compilation from. The fur trade was one of the earliest and most important industries in north america. Quality beaver pelts set the value of what things were worth and it seems that most trades were based on this value. Your group has been transported back though time to the period of the fur trade in canada prior to confederation. This forced the hudsons bay and north west company to join forces. By the end of the nineteenth century, approximately fur trade posts had been constructed be. The fur trade of the western great lakes region frank e. Mistahimaskwa big bear 4th from left, a plains cree chief, trading fur at fort pitt, n. The history of canadian trade timeline timetoast timelines.
The final group of articles presents the viewpoints of allied. Free educational resources for schools which include brochures, message cards, counter stands, buttons, door decals and tshirts. The fur trade through the eyes of first nations woman, metis woman, and a first nations child. Fur trade timeline red lake regional heritage centre. 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. 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. Canadas fur trade a timeline fur institute of canada. 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. 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 history of canadian trade timeline created by skarasmanis. 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. 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. The first north american fur trading post was established at quebec in 1608.
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. 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. In some places, alcohol was the only item offered for trade. Published through the oliver baty cunningham memorial publication fund. After the american revolution, many probritish loyalists fled to canada. Resources for schools about the canadian fur trade fur. This volume is by the associate professor of political economy in the university of toronto. Welcome to fur trade stories, a unique presentation of primary and secondary resources found in the collections of canadas national history society, hbca archives of manitoba, the manitoba museum, parks canada and several first nations communities.
Jan 18, 2014 the fur trade through the eyes of first nations woman, metis woman, and a first nations child. Download or order free educational resources for school to learn more about the canadian fur trade. 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. Both fur trading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. A guide to publications relating to the area now british columbia. Chipeways about the grand portage are few in numberaccustomed to opposition in trade they are extremely difficult to deal with. Lussons proclamation was an event of great importance in the development of frances stake in the wilderness, the trade by which canada lived. With this development, british traders from canada and even a few american colonials entered the great lakes fur trade, although french canadians continued to. Free educational resources for school which could be order. Grand portage as a trading post national park service.
The mountain man and his part in western history has been shaded in myth. It is an interesting fact that the furs from canada were usually considered to be more desirable due to the colder winters and hence the greater development of the fur to keep the animals warm. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. Throughout this timeline you will find bolded text. On the origin and progress of the northwest company of canada with a history of the fur trade, as connected with that concern, and observations on the political importance of the companys intercourse with, and influence over the indians or 1811 by nathaniel atcheson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. If you can, what issues might you need to consider. The fur trade cafe historica canada education portal. Now, almost seventy years later, harold inniss fundamental reinterpretation of canadian history continues to exert a magnetic influence. As the fur trade of new france, on the other hand, gradually extended itself, the traders began to push inland up the rivers. The french gained a monopoly in the fur trade because of this settlement.
This is a fun roleplay game introducing students to the beaver pelt trade in canada. 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. 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. He was chief of historical research for parks canada, prairie region. The following timeline gives an overview of the history of the fur trade in canada. A study of the fur trade from its beginnings on the atlantic coast to the time of writing. Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur. The fur trade in canada the great lakes download sheet 9 canada. 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. Fur used from animals caught in the wild is not considered farmed fur, and is instead known as wild fur. Posts of the canadian fur trade open government portal.
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