Students record the main global factors that influenced the fur trade e. The mountain man and his part in western history has been shaded in myth. Grand portage as a trading post national park service. Mapping the fur trade use an atlas and outline map of canada to locate and map the places that were significant to the fur trade. The north american fur trade was industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. Keep your students engaged in learning about life in early canada through this exciting project about the canadian fur trade. These trade fairs on the arkansas river were based on earlier native american trading systems, such as comanche trade fairs, and were later the basis for european american trade networks. First french, and later british, traders established friendly trading relationships between themselves and the american indians they encountered. The british wanted to take over the fur trade in the french held territory of north america in the 1750s, france and britain were fighting in europe. These skinsas hides, furs, or robesprovided protection from the elements as well as a valuable commodity traded for economic gain. In 1834 henry hastings sibley joined the company as regional manager for the northwest territory, making his headquarters in mendota across the river from fort snelling.
While it lasted, fur trading had a very important effect on the development of america. Students will complete the following outdoor activities, as well as an assigned halfhour indoor. They were very excited about the fur trade in canada and decided to. Because the furs were so valuable, the indians hunted and trapped even more so that they could trade with the europeans. Contracted labourers, or engages, voyageurs were mostly young french canadians from the montreal. This is a fun roleplay game introducing students to the beaver pelt trade in canada. This mainly had to do with british traders on american soil. The fur trade contributed to the development of british and french empires in north america. The time periods from step 1 should be used as the categories for the legend.
What strategies facilitate learning for groups and individuals. Use the words in the box below to complete this paragraph. The british eventually won the war and as a result of the treaty of paris, the french abandoned all their trading claims in what would. The most significant trading center in the upper great lakes was at the straits of mackinac. The french expanded their trading activities along the st. The road to revolution henry county school district. The fur trade was very important to the settlement of canada. Students read about the effect of strict fur trading laws on the lives of the inuit people in. Indian raids, spirited by french and british, were common.
A trading post was established in 1818, and permanent settlement began in. In this activity, students will explore key turning points in the fur trade and determine the impact of these events on different groups in canada. The french, and later the british, trapped beaver through areas of north america beginning in the 1600s. Teacher guide history education mn minnesota historical society. Astor chartered his american fur company, and in 1810 he chartered a subsidiary unit, the pacific fur company. The fur trade game fur trade, social studies elementary. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book. Using background information, brainstorm with class ways to trap animals in the fur trade and what the definition of a trading post is. The business of buying and selling commodities, products, or services. Small parties of trappertraders continued to journey into colorado to trap animals, particularly fur bearers, into the early 1800s. This was the remaining segment of the fur trade route used by the north west company beginning in 1803 when fort william became the companys main depot on lake superior. Quebec which was the first trading post in new france to trade. Trading definition of trading by the free dictionary.
The colonies come of age section 4 the french and indian war. The fur trade in colorado articles colorado encyclopedia. In 1808, two years after lewis and clarks return to st. With similar diplomacy, chouteau defended his fur monopoly from waves of spanish, english and french officials vying for profit and territory. Lawrence river valley in the early seventeenth century, and subsequently to expand into the great lakes region, the mississippi, ohio, and illinois river valleys, and the. Of these, the estimated population of what is now michigan was approximately 15,000. Fur trading was the primary activity in new netherland. Students access the virtual tour of new france to view primary and secondary sources depicting life in new france from various perspectives students complete graphic organizers to gather information about the lives of 2 different individuals in new france students complete a venn diagram to. European fur trade in canada and reasons why both the english and the french were interested in developing and expanding the trade. French fur traders were active in the area from the late 17th century, and the lake and river formed an important link in a trade route from the great lakes to the mississippi river. The trading and transportation of furs, especially beaver, became the most important. Both failed to attract a large number of european settlers.
Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book for. Unfortunately, the french license system of trading was put aside as incongruous with the principles of free trade. G in order to maintain peace, the french paid large amounts of gold to the iroquois. Most french settlers were fur traders or catholic priests who wanted to convert the native americans. 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. The conflict that eventually led to the war of 1812 was also fueled by conflicts of the fur trade. From both an historic and contemporary perspective, students inves. For a century and a half michigans life centered in the fur trade. Jul 23, 20 french control and french profits 16631700 the main staple of the trade was still beaver pelts for the hat industry. The north west company, formed in 1779, took over the french routes and extended them. French commercial influence in the region, anchored in the fur trade, grew steadily for almost half a century until france ceded louisiana to spain in 1762. The fur trade cafe historica canada education portal. A final war, the french and indian war 17541763, decided which nation would control the northern and eastern parts of north america.
Fur trade changing times in the nwt grade four social studies other activities words from the fur trade quiz circle the correct answers 1. French were the first to establish fur trade routes into and beyond the great lakes. They eventually controlled most of the early fur trade in what became canada. The demand for furs in europe stimulated the growth of trade and exploration in canada. Chapter economic, cultural, and political history of michigan. By land and sea expeditions, astors company established an american foothold at fort astoria in 1811. There is a great deal of evidence from a variety of locations that the fur trade in many places was much more complex in terms of gender roles. 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.
Using hbc historic images and accompanying text, teachers and students can explore the life of the. Farming replaced fur trading as the states primary economic activity. 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. Clerk a man who usually managed the daytoday business at a trading post. The french had befriended the indians through their fur trading. Because the french settlers relied on the native americans for their fur trade, they established better relations with the native americans than the english did. In 1670 the hudsons bay company was formed and set up a series of fur trading posts along the shores of hudson bay, where the first nations would bring furs to trade. Over a 10year period 20052014, the sas undertook investigations an archaeological site believed to be the hudson bay company south branch house that was occupied from 17861794. The animals were trapped and exchanged for goods in north america, and the pelts were transported to europe for processing and final sale.
The north american fur trade was an industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. The fur trade was based not only on economic exchanges, but on a system of social and military alliances. Tonti had lost a hand in battle and wore an iron hook in its place. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the gain and sale of animal fur before the colonization of the americas, russia was a major fur supplier of western europe and parts of asia. This lesson helps third grade students answer the question, how did the fur trade work, and why was it important to the economy in detroit and the region. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. This lesson helps third grade students understand the life and. Distribute major fur trade posts and routes map to each student.
During the 1600s, the prospect of wealth from the fur trade attracted many europeans to the new world. The fur trade in wisconsin reached its height in the last half of the 1700s because the british had less restrictive trade policies than the french and allowed more people to trade. First french, and later british, traders established friendly trading relationships between. The french fought a war against the colonists and the british over the land in america. Economy and culture politics 1783newly independent americans. In this explorers activity, 4th graders discuss how the french explorers traded items with the native americans for fur. Nwc stands for a north west carrier b north west company c north west canada 3. France and spain controlled the trading rights along the.
Trading places in this activity, students will learn more about the impact of the fur trade in their community by visiting or researching a local historic site. Appalachians, the french established a network of trading posts, forts, and missions in the north american interior. The things they were trading fur for with the french were equal to great wealth in their societies. What were two main reasons that the french established colonies.
The french fur trade french furtrade era, 16341763. Students are hired by a trading company to scout out a new location for a fort in the new world in this project based learning activity. It wasnt long before many fur trading posts were set up. Indeed, it was the lure of this resource that prompted the french to establish a permanent presence in the st.
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. Native peoples and the fur trade western michigan university. American history the revolutionary war book units teacher. This complexity proceeded from the economics of the trade itself and the problem. As a result, he inspired loyalty that prevented competitors, such as the american fur trade company, from stealing the indian market. This thesis will examine changes in marriage and family structure in chapter 2 and issues of health and spirituality in chapter 3. To flourish students imagination of what a trading post may have looked like in the 1800s, distribute trade posts photos to. Fur trade changing times in the nwt grade four social studies 11 ft8 the changing fur trade the fur trade went through many changes during the 1900.
Lawrence river valley in the early seventeenth century, and subsequently to expand into the great lakes region, the mississippi, ohio, and illinois river valleys, and the hudson bay watershed. Fur trade an important economic activity that took place in british north america between the 16th and 19th centuries, involving the buying and selling of animal pelts, primarily beaver. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. A fashion craze for fur felt hats in europe led to a boom in the fur industry, and europeans eagerly crossed the atlantic in search of a greater supply of fur. A brief history of michigan michigan before the europeans when french explorers first visited michigan in the early seventeenth century, there were approximately 100,000 native americans living in the great lakes region. I the iroquois killed all of the french settlers, and the french king stopped his efforts to set up french colonies in north america. The french fur trade and the introduction of capitalism had the strongest impact on ojibwa women in four areas. At the start of the fur trade, the first nations did most of the trapping.
As the french and the natives interacted, they developed friendly relations with one another. Teacher resource the french fur trade lesson plan introduction this lesson helps third grade students understand the life and culture of the early french settlers that lived in michigan in the first half of the 18th century. In describing the french residents of the arkansas river valley, a spanish official commented, the men hunt wild oxen bison, castors beavers, and squirrels, whose skins are less. The british eventually won the war and in the treaty of paris, control of all forts and fur trading posts was given up to the british. Francophone a person for whom french is the first language learned andor still in use. The fur trade was based on pelts destined either for the luxury clothing market or for the felting industries, of which hatting was the most important. Travel by canoe along the route used from 17311821 by the. The trading of animal skins has been a prominent activity throughout the known human occupation of colorado. When wearing fur became fashionable in europe, the business of trading fur began to thrive, and french, dutch and. There was a titfortat bartering of traditions and customs between the french and native americans. Emphasize that they did not establish settlements or wished to own land in. H the french paid the spanish army to subdue the iroquois. Fur trade enabled not only the english, but also the french and dutch to establish settlements in america.
Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the fur bearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. Its french pioneers, suffering great hardships, worked side by side with the black robes at the trading post, the mission chapel, and the forest fort. The beaver wars were fueled by firearms supplied to native peoples by french fur traders. This definitive wisconsin history textbook from the wisconsin historical society is full color, visually stunning, and promotes strong literacy skills. The french became a part of the indians lives in wisconsin. Fur trappers and traders the encyclopedia of oklahoma. This trading had a great impact on both the europeans and the indians. Have class examine map and distinguish trading posts created before 1821.
While talking have students fill in the blanks on the worksheet. Assign roles to group members and give them a research deadline. The 19thcentury north american fur trade, when the industry was at its peak of economic importance, involved the development of elaborate trade networks and companies. But trends change, and beaver hats were on the way out. Divide students into groups of four and assign a fur trade group to each. The war ended with the british and colonists winning. Voyageurs travelers in french were men hired to work for the fur trade companies to transport trade goods throughout the vast territory to rendezvous posts. Until 1784 the bulk of the inland fur traffic was in the hands of these independent traders. French and indian war worksheet after the french and indian war, the british started taxing the colonists in north america, so that they could help pay for the. English and french fur trading companies were in direct. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. The ministry of marine, responsible for colonial affairs, leased three overseas enterprises the west indies plantation trade, the african slave trade, and the marketing of canadian beaver and moose hides to the newly formed compagnie des indes occidentales.
Nations, joined the french in fighting the british and their native allies because the french had built a better relationship with michigans native people, and held greater respect for indian territory rights. A fur trader in fort chipewyan, alberta in the 1890s. But the infant trading post became a casualty of the war. Fur traders explored land and rivers, they built outposts that later became towns, they established cooperative relationships with the native americans. Traders and trappers explored much of north america in search of fur.
Lesson plan by educ 315 class manchester university. Intermarriage with french traders established kinship relations between native groups and the french which in turn reinforced economic ties. The fur trade involved economic, social, political, and military ties between natives and europeans. Conflict in the ohio river valley the seeds for the french and indian war were planted when british fur traders began moving into the ohio river valley in the 1750s. Show the french fur traders and discuss why the french came to the new world and their interaction with the native american tribes. The first firms to participate in the fur trade were french, and under french rule, the trade spread along the st. In less than a decade they had pushed their enterprises far beyond the french limits. Split students into groups of 4 or 5 and separate them around the room telling them if they are french hunters and trappers or native americans. Control of the few forts shifted among french and british and american governance. It is difficult to overstate the importance of fur in the historical development of new france. Lawrence and ottawa rivers, and down the mississippi river. A voyageur is a a banker b a paddler c very strong 2.
Emphasize that they did not establish settlements or wished to own land in new york, but carried the beaver to ports to ship to europe. Some french fur traders even married native women and began staying in native villages year round. This huge mega bundle offers five bundles in one you will get the fur trade bundle, the french and indian war bundle, the early european explorersage of exploration bundle, the new france bundle and as a bonus you get. Explain that were going to play a little game called fur trade and give each group an envelope. Before the lesson begins, you need to make a fur traders log book for each student. Reports by lewis and clark, and the stories of john colter, enticed trappers, traders, and trailblazers to the rocky. The first written accounts of french trading activity in oklahoma were in 1719 when two expeditions penetrated the region. Grand portage had its largest population and range of activities in the summer, when thousands of company employees passed through on their way east or west. The fur trade had a tremendous effect on dakota and ojibwe cultural practices and influenced usnative economic and political relations in the 19th century, including treaty negotiations. Some of the most important posts in the western great lakes. Europeans participated in the trade from the time of their arrival in the new world, extending the trade. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity.
In this lesson, students will learn about life as a voyageurs family during. The north american fur trade was a central part of the early history of contact in the new world north america between europeanamericans and native americans in the united. Impact of the french fur trade on the lives of native. The french were more naturally inclined to form bonds of brotherhood with native americans than the english or spanish.