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