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The Canadian Fur Trade

The Canadian Fur Trade. Competition Between the Hudson’s Bay Company & The Northwest Company. Outline. The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) The North West Company (NWC) The Main P ush for the Trade Women of the Fur Trade Tools of the Trade. HBC. Founded in 1670

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The Canadian Fur Trade

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  1. The Canadian Fur Trade Competition Between the Hudson’s Bay Company & The Northwest Company

  2. Outline • The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) • The North West Company (NWC) • The Main Push for the Trade • Women of the Fur Trade • Tools of the Trade

  3. HBC • Founded in 1670 • A charter was granted by King Charles II • This charter provided the company with a monopoly over the trade • A monopoly over the watershed of all rivers and streams flowing into the Hudson Bay • Profitable trade with the Cree and Assiniboine - acted as the middlemen

  4. NWC • Scottish and American traders from Montreal • Picked up where the French had left off (7 Years War) • Following old trade routes and even re-occupying abandoned French Forts • Employed experienced French Canadian, Metis, and Iroquois canoeists • Pushed past HBC’s claims-expanded into the Arctic and as far as the Pacific • A new era for fur trading-daring dashing and often violent • Eventually established the first transcontinental economic system in Canadian History

  5. Fur Fabric of a Nation-Youtube

  6. The Main Push for the Trade • Beaver • Fashion - Hats • Between the 17th & 19 centuries *Book Caption*

  7. 18th Century Hats

  8. Exchanges for Furs • Firearms • Ammunition • Metal goods • Cloth • Blankets • Tobacco • Alcohol *Book Caption*

  9. Women of the Fur Trade • Usually First Nations women • “Country Wives” • Strengthened ties btwn relatives and other First Nation groups

  10. Country Wives • Language /interpreter - good for negotiations • Knowledge of the territory • Wilderness survival techniques • Making toboggans, snowshoes, canoes • Food preparation, particularly pemmican • Preparation of hides and making of moccasins • Medicine *Book Caption*

  11. Marriage Policies • HBC’s policy was made by a committee in London, England • It was declared that women and children would cause needless expense • During the 1700s, the company forbade men to marry • Many who managed the company outposts disregarded the rules • Some practiced polygamy • Until the 1780s, only high-ranking personnel entered into marital relationships

  12. Marriage Policies • The NWC’s policy was not like the HBC’s • Voyageurs with permission could marry • The practice was seen as assurance that the fur traders would stay in the territory and be more successful

  13. Tools of the Trade • First Nations taught Europeans how to travel on the rough land and in the cold climate • Canoes • Snowshoes • Dog sleds *Kutenai Model*

  14. Montreal Canoe 10-12 metres in length-can carry upwards of 4 tonnes of cargo

  15. NFB-Voyageurs film

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