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Fur Trade In Canada

967 Words4 Pages

The fur trade in Canada is a business that proved to be very profitable, and key in the creation of Canada. The fur trade originated long before the Europeans arrived and was between different groups of Native Americans. The Europeans did not seriously get involved in the industry until the sixteenth century, when the French began trading. The fur trade was one of North America’s most economically successful industries at the time, creating competition between European nations, and encouraging settlers to migrate to North America for business opportunities. It also established relationships between Native Americans and Europeans. Though the fur trade has basically dissolved, it can not be denied how important it is in Canadian history, as …show more content…

He tried to travel further inland to try and create relationships with the Natives to trade furs. He was very quick to create alliances with certain Native communities, specifically with the Algonquin, the Montagnais, and the Huron. The alliance between the French and the Huron proved to be an important one. Samuel de Champlain supported these groups in their conflict against the Iroquoian people. The French were able to do plenty of business with the Natives over furs, and at the same time, tried to convert them to their religion. The French kept the beaver and moose furs for themselves however, as they were the most valuable at the time. The fur trade was proving to be very valuable to the French, as it helped with their expansion into North America, and it immensely boosted the French’s economic …show more content…

They had hoped to set up a trading post up there with assistance from the French, however, their offer was declined. They truly believed that a post should be set up at the Hudson’s Bay, so they sought help from others, a group of businessmen from Boston. The English heard of this and wanted in on the expedition. They issued two ships to explore the Bay and hopefully set up posts. They set up posts there, and brought valuable furs back to England, proving the Hudson’s Bay to truly be an asset. Eventually, the Hudson’s Bay Company was established, and rivaled the French Canadian traders.

The legacy of the fur trade is a legacy that has proven to be an important part of the world. It is thanks to the fur trade that Canada is now a nation. It helped to encourage people to come settle in Canada. It established relationships with the Native Americans, and effected the economy in Europe immensely. The fur trade has been very important in Canadian history, and makes in Canada unique, because not many countries can say they were started because of a fashion

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