The fight for the resources of Canada

Europe wants wealth and power = mercantilism, imperialism Search for NW Passage to Asia John Cabot claims Nfld for England, and discovers wealth in fish in the grand banks Jacques Cartier explores the St. Lawrence for France – sees value in fur, insults Iroquois Samuel de Champlain sets up colony of New France and starts the Fur trade for France, also makes enemy of the Iroquois

sets up colony of New France (Quebec), and is first Governor, in order to set up the fur trade Alliance with Huron – get furs, but hated by the Iroquois Hire “Coureur s de Bois” – “runners of the woods” to explore inland, make alliances with Natives, set up fur trade Many marry Native Women Strong, independent, brave men

all fur valuable for clothing, coats, bedding Beaver Fur most valuable – under fur used to make felt for hats! HUGE demand – new hat fashions each year Monopoly on fur trade = mercantilism (makes that country the richest and most powerful)

Various fur trading companies work for France(example: Company of 100 associates) Workers are men each with a share in company, or independent workers Men canoe to Natives, and gather furs Trade goods including fire arms and alcohol to natives for furs Coureur de bois become Voyageurs Take furs to Montreal, canoe out St. Lawrence to ship to France Constant interference with Iroquois

Called themselves “Canadiens” Fur traders from New France famous fro strength, endurance, knowledge of wilderness Paddled canoes between fort William and Montreal collecting furs – thousands of km

Camp under canoe, sing songs, eat pemmican Pemmican: buffalo meat, fat, and berries Portage = forced to carry goods / canoe/ furs over land to go around rapids, waterfalls, connect to new river

2 French Voyageurs (fur traders) Sick and tired of fighting the Iroquois on the St. Lawrence to ship furs Alternative: ship out Hudson’s Bay Take idea to French King Louis XIV – he takes their furs and says NO! Go to English King Charles II – he says YES! and creates the Hudson’s Bay Company

England is imperialistic – Claim all the Land (and Fur) around Hudson’s Bay for England Call it “Rupert’s Land” after Prince Rupert 1670: King gives a Charter to the New Hudson’s Bay Company giving them all the rights to the land and fur trade in Rupert’s Land

Set up trading posts at mouths of rivers on Hudson’s Bay (and James’ Bay) Natives bring furs to Trading Post (different form French voyageurs) See p. 259 for map Posts manned year-round, but Ships come to take furs to England (and bring supplies) once per year Head trader: Factor Power over Day to day in Post

Staff: clerks, boat loaders and builders, carpenters, blacksmiths, servants Are employees and paid a salary, work long hours Discouraged form marrying Native Women, banned from trading Alcohol Buildings: main depot, church, guest house, hospital, cooperage (barrels), smithy, bake house, fur storage, provisions house, officers’ quarters, servants quarters, etc.

Long, cold winter Boring except when ship arrives – new supplies and letters form home = celebration! Trade goods for furs (to natives) List p. 261 Beaver pelts become currency 1 “made beaver” (MB) or “buck” sets value/ price See chart p. 261

France and England both Claim Land and Fur rights - Both want a monopoly

After 1763, the French Companies are combined (under Scottish/ American Ownership) to 1 company: NORTH WEST COMPANY Huge competition between HBC and NWC NWC uses Voyageurs, controls st. Lawrence, great lakes and interior rivers/ lakes, deals directly with Native groups Forces HBC to move inland when they intercept/ take furs 2 companies will merge in 1821

Traders married Native Women – called “country wives” Half native, half French called “Metis” Women were interpreters, diplomats, negotiators, Knowledge was essential to survival of fur traders Married for social connections Provide knowledge of customs, knowledge of land, made snowshoes, moccasins, clothes, supplied local food, firewood, made and operated birch bark canoes, dried meat for winter Some men abandoned their country wives and returned to Europe