The fur trade was one of the most important industries in North America. It was an exchange between Europeans and Indians. The fur trade played a major role in colonization and exploration in North America. The fur trade stimulated exploration of the continent and provided a source of income that was important to many colonial businesses. The fur trade also stimulated colonization, as many French developed fur trade along the Mississippi river. Overall, the fur trade established new settlements colonized in the start of businesses in trade amongst settlers, and exploration for a higher economy in finding more trade along the areas of exploration.
The North American fur trade started throughout river valleys as explorers went along to colonize new areas. The Canadian fur traders and mountain men were the major explorers of America. These men were hunting for a wide variety of fur bearing animals, particularly the beaver. Native American Indians were also in search of beaver fur, and used nets, snares, deadfalls, clubs, etc. to obtain these beaver pelts. The beaver was a major source of pelt for the Canadian, Great lakes, and upper Missouri river fur trade. The discovery of river valleys was an era in search of new exploration and areas of trade. This era discovered the Oregon and California trails that provided guides for America’s western expansion. As new exploration and colonization boosted amongst settlements, it became the primary source of income for Mountaineers, Indians, and early settlers that traded furs and hides by the millions. The fur trade had many colonial strategies and using beaver as a pelt
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Samuel de Champlain, “the father of new France”, led expansion and reformed the business of fur trade. He created the first informal trust in response to increasing losses due to competition in trade networks. This encouraged settlement for the sparsely populated New