Using hbc historic images and accompanying text, teachers and students can explore the life of the. While talking have students fill in the blanks on the worksheet. Fur trading was the primary activity in new netherland. The beaver wars were fueled by firearms supplied to native peoples by french fur traders. The french had befriended the indians through their fur trading. During the 1600s, the prospect of wealth from the fur trade attracted many europeans to the new world. 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. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. 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 french fought a war against the colonists and the british over the land in america. In this explorers activity, 4th graders discuss how the french explorers traded items with the native americans for fur. 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. 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. 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 time periods from step 1 should be used as the categories for the legend. The french were more naturally inclined to form bonds of brotherhood with native americans than the english or spanish. France and spain controlled the trading rights along the. G in order to maintain peace, the french paid large amounts of gold to the iroquois. The road to revolution henry county school district.
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. By land and sea expeditions, astors company established an american foothold at fort astoria in 1811. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book. Intermarriage with french traders established kinship relations between native groups and the french which in turn reinforced economic ties. 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. 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.
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 conflict that eventually led to the war of 1812 was also fueled by conflicts of the fur trade. This lesson helps third grade students understand the life and. But the infant trading post became a casualty of the war. This definitive wisconsin history textbook from the wisconsin historical society is full color, visually stunning, and promotes strong literacy skills. Have class examine map and distinguish trading posts created before 1821. Lesson plan by educ 315 class manchester university. 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.
I the iroquois killed all of the french settlers, and the french king stopped his efforts to set up french colonies in north america. Of these, the estimated population of what is now michigan was approximately 15,000. Fur trappers and traders the encyclopedia of oklahoma. Quebec which was the first trading post in new france to trade. But trends change, and beaver hats were on the way out. 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. 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. Assign roles to group members and give them a research deadline. 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. As the french and the natives interacted, they developed friendly relations with one another. 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. 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 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.
Before the lesson begins, you need to make a fur traders log book for each student. This is a fun roleplay game introducing students to the beaver pelt trade in canada. Grand portage as a trading post national park service. The fur trade cafe historica canada education portal. Fur traders explored land and rivers, they built outposts that later became towns, they established cooperative relationships with the native americans. At the start of the fur trade, the first nations did most of the trapping. Related to the history of the canadian fur trade, this lesson identifies the fur bearing animals commonly hunted and trapped throughout canadian history. 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. French were the first to establish fur trade routes into and beyond the great lakes. 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. 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. Unfortunately, the french license system of trading was put aside as incongruous with the principles of free trade. Trading definition of trading by the free dictionary. A voyageur is a a banker b a paddler c very strong 2.
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. Keep your students engaged in learning about life in early canada through this exciting project about the canadian fur trade. The mountain man and his part in western history has been shaded in myth. The fur trade involved economic, social, political, and military ties between natives and europeans. Explain that were going to play a little game called fur trade and give each group an envelope. Jul 23, 20 french control and french profits 16631700 the main staple of the trade was still beaver pelts for the hat industry. In this lesson, students will learn about life as a voyageurs family during.
Indian raids, spirited by french and british, were common. Reports by lewis and clark, and the stories of john colter, enticed trappers, traders, and trailblazers to the rocky. Students will complete the following outdoor activities, as well as an assigned halfhour indoor. Some of the most important posts in the western great lakes.
The french fur trade french furtrade era, 16341763. 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. Use the words in the box below to complete this paragraph. Lawrence and ottawa rivers, and down the mississippi river. 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. As a result, he inspired loyalty that prevented competitors, such as the american fur trade company, from stealing the indian market. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Distribute major fur trade posts and routes map to each student. What strategies facilitate learning for groups and individuals. The fur trade was very important to the settlement of canada.
European fur trade in canada and reasons why both the english and the french were interested in developing and expanding the trade. The war ended with the british and colonists winning. Because the furs were so valuable, the indians hunted and trapped even more so that they could trade with the europeans. To flourish students imagination of what a trading post may have looked like in the 1800s, distribute trade posts photos to. English and french fur trading companies were in direct. The french became a part of the indians lives in wisconsin. The fur trade game fur trade, social studies elementary. Aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of various regions traded among themselves in the precolumbian era. The demand for furs in europe stimulated the growth of trade and exploration in canada. From both an historic and contemporary perspective, students inves.
Until 1784 the bulk of the inland fur traffic was in the hands of these independent traders. 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. Teacher guide history education mn minnesota historical society. The french fur trade and the introduction of capitalism had the strongest impact on ojibwa women in four areas. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity. Francophone a person for whom french is the first language learned andor still in use. 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. A fur trader in fort chipewyan, alberta in the 1890s. It wasnt long before many fur trading posts were set up.
The north american fur trade was industry and activity related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. This mainly had to do with british traders on american soil. Students record the main global factors that influenced the fur trade e. 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. First french, and later british, traders established friendly trading relationships between themselves and the american indians they encountered. The french expanded their trading activities along the st. The first firms to participate in the fur trade were french, and under french rule, the trade spread along the st. American history the revolutionary war book units teacher.
Traders and trappers explored much of north america in search of fur. They eventually controlled most of the early fur trade in what became canada. While it lasted, fur trading had a very important effect on the development of america. Travel by canoe along the route used from 17311821 by the. It is difficult to overstate the importance of fur in the historical development of new france. Divide students into groups of four and assign a fur trade group to each. 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. Both failed to attract a large number of european settlers. Fur trade changing times in the nwt student activity book for. The french, and later the british, trapped beaver through areas of north america beginning in the 1600s.
Contracted labourers, or engages, voyageurs were mostly young french canadians from the montreal. 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. A final war, the french and indian war 17541763, decided which nation would control the northern and eastern parts of north america. The north west company, formed in 1779, took over the french routes and extended them. The fur trade contributed to the development of british and french empires in north america. The trading and transportation of furs, especially beaver, became the most important. Nwc stands for a north west carrier b north west company c north west canada 3. 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 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. The most significant trading center in the upper great lakes was at the straits of mackinac.
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. In 1808, two years after lewis and clarks return to st. The fur trade was based not only on economic exchanges, but on a system of social and military alliances. These skinsas hides, furs, or robesprovided protection from the elements as well as a valuable commodity traded for economic gain. Native peoples and the fur trade western michigan university. 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. They were very excited about the fur trade in canada and decided to. Some french fur traders even married native women and began staying in native villages year round. The things they were trading fur for with the french were equal to great wealth in their societies. Farming replaced fur trading as the states primary economic activity. Chapter economic, cultural, and political history of michigan. Appalachians, the french established a network of trading posts, forts, and missions in the north american interior.
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. With similar diplomacy, chouteau defended his fur monopoly from waves of spanish, english and french officials vying for profit and territory. First french, and later british, traders established friendly trading relationships between. 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. Emphasize that they did not establish settlements or wished to own land in. Show the french fur traders and discuss why the french came to the new world and their interaction with the native american tribes. The fur trade in colorado articles colorado encyclopedia. This trading had a great impact on both the europeans and the indians. 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.
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. Tonti had lost a hand in battle and wore an iron hook in its place. Fur trade changing times in the nwt grade four social studies other activities words from the fur trade quiz circle the correct answers 1. 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. Using background information, brainstorm with class ways to trap animals in the fur trade and what the definition of a trading post is. This complexity proceeded from the economics of the trade itself and the problem. Most french settlers were fur traders or catholic priests who wanted to convert the native americans. Small parties of trappertraders continued to journey into colorado to trap animals, particularly fur bearers, into the early 1800s. The business of buying and selling commodities, products, or services. The colonies come of age section 4 the french and indian war. 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.
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 trading post was established in 1818, and permanent settlement began in. What were two main reasons that the french established colonies. 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. 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. Economy and culture politics 1783newly independent americans. Clerk a man who usually managed the daytoday business at a trading post. Europeans participated in the trade from the time of their arrival in the new world, extending the trade.
Control of the few forts shifted among french and british and american governance. 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. The trading of animal skins has been a prominent activity throughout the known human occupation of colorado. In less than a decade they had pushed their enterprises far beyond the french limits. 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. There was a titfortat bartering of traditions and customs between the french and native americans. This thesis will examine changes in marriage and family structure in chapter 2 and issues of health and spirituality in chapter 3. 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. Astor chartered his american fur company, and in 1810 he chartered a subsidiary unit, the pacific fur company. Indeed, it was the lure of this resource that prompted the french to establish a permanent presence in the st. 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.
Fur trade enabled not only the english, but also the french and dutch to establish settlements in america. The animals were trapped and exchanged for goods in north america, and the pelts were transported to europe for processing and final sale. 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. The first written accounts of french trading activity in oklahoma were in 1719 when two expeditions penetrated the region. H the french paid the spanish army to subdue the iroquois. Students read about the effect of strict fur trading laws on the lives of the inuit people in.
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