Students will explore how the fur trade led to the development of the west. The fur trade in canada red lake regional heritage. The show follows the agents of rival companies as they fight for dominance in the north american fur trade in the 1700s. The fur trade prospered until the mid1800s, when furbearing animals became scarce and silk hats became.
This is a brief description of the most significant events in the 250 years during which the fur trade flourished. In this book, extensively illustrated with visuals from some of canadas most prominent museums and archives, historian michael payne explores the personalities and events that shaped this powerful business. Indians in the fur tradefirst published in 1974, this bestselling book was. Fur trade history the centre for ruperts land studies. Looking for scholarly articles covering different aspects of fur trade history. Both furtrading companies are discussed, but there is a greater focus on the hudsons bay company. The history of the fur trade and the early exploration of canada.
The fur trade is part of canadas resourcebased economy and one of canadas oldest and most historically significant industries. School jobs school plan canadian history european history indigenous education world history classroom black history quotes fur trade history activities handson canadian history. The beginnings of the fur trade in the 1600s europeans formed powerful companies that would dominate the fur trade and create alliances with first nations group for over two centuries. Innis and a great selection of related books, art and. Fur trade and exploration canadian rockies vacations guide. Collection, british columbia historical books collection. The indians traded furs for such goods as tools and weapons. The fur trade set the tone for european exploration of north america and established the very foundation of canada. 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.
These titles may be used by teachers to introduce topics and themes more in canadian history and by students carrying out research projects. As small a change in style as an increase in brim diameter could send ripples through the whole fur trade. Look no further than the museum of the fur trade quarterly. This database of canadian historical fiction and nonfiction books is brought to you by the canadian childrens book centre with historica canada, and funded by the government of canada. The furtrade was essentially a result of the contact of the divergent cultures of europe and north america, and spread northwestward along the forested areas of the precambrian formation across the northern half of the continent to the pacific following the exhaustion of supplies. 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. James as a trading post for the north west company, opening up a new social and economic core for the furtrade district. The fur trade in north america began almost as soon as europeans began their explorations of the north american mainland. A history of the fur trade is complementary to a history of the recent industrial growth. This scavenger hunt style printable game is based on how the fur trade system worked. The rise of the fur trade in the colonial context is a story of both supply and demand. Material on this subject can be found throughout the central library 350 west georgia street. This book also details the fur trades true origin as a network of trading patterns among aboriginal peoples.
At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canada challenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. The epic history of the fur trade in america, was chosen by new west, the seattle times, and the rocky mountain land library as one of the best nonfiction books of 2010, and it also won the 2011 james p. 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. Indians in the fur trade their roles as trappers, hunters, and. Explore the roles and relationships of the people involved in the fur trade and the seasonal nature of the work. The arrival of european traders forced many to choose sides. Europeans participated in the trade from the time of their arrival in the new world, extending the trades. It allows students to see how our cultural identity and economic system were rooted in the fur trade. Browse and shop for books, home decor, toys, gifts and more on indigo. The algonquianspeaking people became allies of the french, the. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. The fur trade was essentially a result of the contact of the divergent cultures of europe and north america, and spread northwestward along the forested areas of the precambrian formation across the northern half of the continent to the pacific following the exhaustion of supplies. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. Quality beaver pelts set the value of what things were worth and it seems that most trades were based on this value.
The fur trade was a booming business in north america from the 1500s through the 1800s. As part of fraser commission from the north west company, he moved westwards to explore potential river routes to the pacific ocean. An introduction to canadian economic history by innis h a and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Before the 1790s they are rarely identified by name. Beaver fur, which was used in europe to make felt hats, became the most valuable of these furs. The revenant by michael punke, across the wide missouri by bernard devoto, fur, fortune, and empire. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. Hanlan book award, given by the new england historical association. The north american fur trade was an industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. Its historical and economic impact lesson overview. The settlers then sold many of the furs back to europe. Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in. The architecture of the western canadian fur trade.
By that time the canadian traders had set up posts across the continent first crossed in the. The fur trade in canada the following timeline gives an overview of the history of the fur trade in canada. It was sustained primarily by the trapping of beavers to satisfy the european demand for felt hats. Inside you will find activities, games, crafts, printable activities, discussion questions, web links, lists of books to check out from your library, and more. List of books and articles about canadian history online. List of books and articles about fur trade and trappers. The fur trade was a vast commercial enterprise across the wild, forested expanse of what is now canada. The fur trade opening the west first peoples of canada. Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in one. Explain to student they will be researching the role their group played in the fur trade as well as the social and economic impact of the fur trade on them. Champlains dream by david hackett fischer, who killed canadian history. Fur trade and exploration posted by administrator february 26, 2009 jasper national park competition between the northwest company and the hudsons bay company increased as the h. The fur trade was the original basis for the growth, foundation, and success of canadas beginning. The fur trade was a very important part of the canadian economy and from the 17th to 19th centuries attracted european mechants and.
Fur trade and exploration canadian rockies vacations. The intensely competitive trade opened the continent. He remarks that it is impossible to understand the developments of the fur trade, or of canadian history, without some knowledge of the beavers life and habits. This guide will help you find material in vancouver public library on the fur trade in canada. This timeline spans from our countrys earliest inhabitants to the present. By the end of the nineteenth century, approximately fur trade posts had been constructed be. It was at its peak for nearly 250 years, from the early 17th to the mid19th centuries. An engaging new look at this compelling era in canadian history. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canadachallenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. This lesson plan investigates the impact of the fur trade on canadas development as a nation. The native americans often gave the settlers animal furs in exchange for weapons, metal goods, and other supplies. An introduction to canadian economic history by harold a.
The organizations works closely with major memory institutions to identify, catalogue, digitize and store documentary heritage books, newspapers. The colonial fur trade, and later the mountain man fur trade, had a pronounced effect on native american indians. Written by harold innis in the 1930s, this book is still widely considered an important read on the nitty gritty of the fur trade in early canadian history. Trade in animal skins and pelts had gone on since antiquity, but reached its height in the wilderness of. The fur trade game this scavenger hunt style printable game is based on how the fur trade system worked. Yet, he writes, the book is one of the few in canadian historical literature that deserves to be described as seminal. Divide students into groups of four and assign a fur trade group to each. Harold innis begins the fur trade in canada with a brief chapter on the beaver which became a much desired fur due to the popularity of the beaver hat in european society.
See more ideas about fur trade, canadian history, social studies. 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. This period of time can be roughly divided into three sections, the french era from 1600 to 1760. This is the interior of a reconstructed huronwendat longhouse. Discover librarianselected research resources on fur trade and trappers from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. Wealthy europeans were eager to buy hats made of beaver fur and the supply here was plentiful. List of books and articles about fur trade and trappers online. An introduction to canadian economic history innis, harold. A lively pace is maintained from the beginning of the book, and upon. Mistahimaskwa big bear 4th from left, a plains cree chief, trading fur at fort pitt, n. Customers who viewed this item also viewed these digital items. Fur trade history ruperts land the university of winnipeg. Bond, the ottawa country, ottawa, queens printer, 1968, p. Fur trade records provide the earliest mention of a people distinct from the european and indian populations.
Canada occupies all of north america n of the united states and e of alaska except for greenland and the french islands of st. Throughout this timeline you will find bolded text. Dec 16, 2019 the fur trade was a very important part of the canadian economy and from the 17th to 19th centuries attracted european mechants and settlers to canada. He is the author of several articles and books on the subject. Canada and the fur trade history of the canadian fur trade. The fur trade cafe historica canada education portal. An illustrated history is an engaging new look at this compelling era in our history.
Fur trade sites such as lower fort garry, fort langley, fort edmonton and fort william attract several hundred thousand visitors every yearcumulatively far more people than will ever read scholarly or even popular histories of the fur trade or sit through a university seminar on western canadian history. 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. Allan hawco on his new fur trade tv series frontier. Trade in animal skins and pelts had gone on since antiquity, but reached its height in the wilderness of north america from the 17th to the early 19th cent. The fur trade began in the 1500s as an exchange between indians and europeans.
Harold adams innis november 5, 1894 november 8, 1952 was a professor of political economy at the university of toronto and the author of seminal works on canadian economic history and on media. The museum of the fur trade has published many scholarly articles and books covering the complete history of the north american fur trade. All faced horrific consequences for these decisions. Historically the trade stimulated the exploration and colonization of siberia, northern north america, and the south shetland and south sandwich islands. The fur trade prospered until the mid1800s, when fur bearing animals became scarce and silk hats became. The beginnings of the fur trade first peoples of canada. Ray presents the history of the book and concludes that inniss great book remains. Now, almost seventy years later, harold inniss fundamental reinterpretation of canadian history continues to exert a magnetic influence. A brutal and chaotic period of canadian history gets the game of thrones treatment in frontier, a new discovery canada series premiering november 6 at 9 p. The federal government tried to protect the american indians from land speculators, fur traders, and eventually the mountain men and the suppliers of the mountain man rendezvous through the trade and intercourse acts. Canadas fur trade a timeline fur institute of canada. It involved to an increasing extent the imports of heavy. 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. Two books that discuss the role of intermarriage between traders and native women and their children are.
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