THE FUR TRADE
Jacques Cartier was the first explorer to explore what would become Canada, but he wasn't the only one. Explorers representing the English, Spanish, and Portuguese also tried to claim new lands for their kings.
The French, however, were able to establish permanent settlements along the St Lawrence River in the 17th century. This was primarily focused on economic goals. In other words, permanent French settlers were supposed to make money for the King of France. And the most profitable way to do this was through the Fur Trade.
The Fur Trade become very profitable for the French. One reason for this was simply that they recognized the value of beaver pelts. The French also worked with Natives, which provided an inexpensive labour force (workers). And, very importantly, the French had access to a vast network of rivers and lakes that allowed them to quickly travel into the continent.
The French, however, were able to establish permanent settlements along the St Lawrence River in the 17th century. This was primarily focused on economic goals. In other words, permanent French settlers were supposed to make money for the King of France. And the most profitable way to do this was through the Fur Trade.
The Fur Trade become very profitable for the French. One reason for this was simply that they recognized the value of beaver pelts. The French also worked with Natives, which provided an inexpensive labour force (workers). And, very importantly, the French had access to a vast network of rivers and lakes that allowed them to quickly travel into the continent.
3.1 French Colonial Policy
ECONOMY
Mercantilism was a new economic policy in the 17th century that was used as a way for European Kings to raise money. In amercantile system the colonies were seen as a way to enrich the kingdom. From the perspective of the crown, the system was viewed as successful when there was a flow of riches towards the King. One of the negative consequences of this approach was that it only required a small population. This limited the French's ability to expand its territory.
The system depended on an unequal exchange between the colony (New France) and the metropolis (France). The metropolis required raw materials from the colony, which they would use to manufacture more expensive finished products in France. For example, colonists would send beaver pelts (raw material) to France. French manufacturers could then use the beaver pelts to make hats (finished product). The French government maintained this imbalance by banning some manufactures in the colony.
In exchange for an annual payment of duty to the king, companies were granted a monopoly over a resource in the colony. A monopoly is when only your company is allowed to sell a specific product.
Mercantilism was a new economic policy in the 17th century that was used as a way for European Kings to raise money. In amercantile system the colonies were seen as a way to enrich the kingdom. From the perspective of the crown, the system was viewed as successful when there was a flow of riches towards the King. One of the negative consequences of this approach was that it only required a small population. This limited the French's ability to expand its territory.
The system depended on an unequal exchange between the colony (New France) and the metropolis (France). The metropolis required raw materials from the colony, which they would use to manufacture more expensive finished products in France. For example, colonists would send beaver pelts (raw material) to France. French manufacturers could then use the beaver pelts to make hats (finished product). The French government maintained this imbalance by banning some manufactures in the colony.
In exchange for an annual payment of duty to the king, companies were granted a monopoly over a resource in the colony. A monopoly is when only your company is allowed to sell a specific product.
RELIGION
Religion was also seen as an important justification for colonization. Missionaries, priests who went to the colony to convert natives to catholicism, were among the first people to settle in the new lands.
There were at least four reasons
Religion was also seen as an important justification for colonization. Missionaries, priests who went to the colony to convert natives to catholicism, were among the first people to settle in the new lands.
There were at least four reasons
- Missionaries wanted to prevent the eternal suffering natives would endure if they did not convert
- Converting unbelievers ensured their place in heaven
- The Church became more powerful with more practitioners
- Converting natives to Catholicism helped prevent the expansion of other European powers (English, Dutch)
The Mohawk Saint - Catherine Tekakwitha Very few natives converted to
Catholicism but Catherine Tekakwitha is a notable exception.
Catholicism but Catherine Tekakwitha is a notable exception.
3.2 Colonization of the St. Lawrence Region
The St. Lawrence River was important because the river provided a way to travel into the interior of North America.The first permanent French trading post was established in 1600 at Tadoussac.
Initially, everyone could take part in the fur trade at Tadoussac. However, the French companies were not as profitable as they liked so the French worked to establish control over the territory through political and military means. It was for this reason the French founded Quebec City in 1608. The French gained control over the territory through alliances with the Huron and Algonquin. This gave the French a large territory to trap and trade. In exchange, the natives gained a powerful ally who agreed to wage war against their enemy, the Iroquois. Over time the French established a number of trading posts along the St. Lawrence River in order to exert control over their territory. Permanent posts were established at Trois-Rivières in 1634 and Montréal in 1642. |
Although the French were fairly successful at establish territory for the Fur Trade they were unable to expand beyond a few trading posts. This weakness was caused by on ongoing war with the Iroquois and the French reliance on the Huron (Algonquin) trade networks.
3.3 The Complexity of the Fur Trade
In its early years, New France was what is called a trading post colony. This means that the goal of the colony was not to grow in population or complexity. The goal was to take resources from the land for the metropolis, France. A populating colony, on the other hand, describes a colony that grows its population, develops its methods of governance, and encourages a diverse agricultural-based economy.
The success of the French depended largely on its alliances with the Huron and Algonquin. These alliances, however, put the French into conflict with the Iroquois, who were aligned with the Dutch. In 1649 the Iroquois attacked Huron villages and completely destroyed the Huron nation within a couple of weeks. Encouraged by such swift victory, the Iroquois attacked other groups and quickly came to dominate a huge territory of land and with it, the fur trade.
While the establishment of the fur trade was successful in raising revenue for the King it had a devastating impact on First Nation societies. There were three elements in particular that negatively affected natives traditional way of life::
The success of the French depended largely on its alliances with the Huron and Algonquin. These alliances, however, put the French into conflict with the Iroquois, who were aligned with the Dutch. In 1649 the Iroquois attacked Huron villages and completely destroyed the Huron nation within a couple of weeks. Encouraged by such swift victory, the Iroquois attacked other groups and quickly came to dominate a huge territory of land and with it, the fur trade.
- One question you may ask yourself is "how was it that the Iroquois were able to defeat their enemies so quickly?" See the first paragraph on p. 109 to find the answer and be prepared to discuss this idea in class.
While the establishment of the fur trade was successful in raising revenue for the King it had a devastating impact on First Nation societies. There were three elements in particular that negatively affected natives traditional way of life::
- Alcohol
- Disease (Although it is difficult to determine exact figures, it is estimated that Canada's First Nations population declined from 40 - 80% after contact with Europeans)
- Increase in the number of wars and their brutality
- Social inequality
Exercise:
We have now completed Chapter 3. Use the remaining time in class to answer the review questions on p 110 - 112.
We have now completed Chapter 3. Use the remaining time in class to answer the review questions on p 110 - 112.