the fur trade began in canada in the late 15th century.
the fur trade began in canada in the late 15th century.
when did the fur trade began in canada?
the late 15th century
the european discovery of north america, with its vast forests and wildlife, particularly the beaver, led to the continent becoming a major supplier in the 17th century of fur pelts for the fur felt hat and fur trimming and garment trades of europe. fur was relied on to make warm clothing, a critical consideration prior to the organization of coal distribution for heating. portugal and spain played major roles in fur trading after the 15th century with their business in fur hats.









































section::::russian fur trade.:siberian fur trade.
fur trade
the north american fur trade began in the seventeenth century when european and aboriginal people began meeting at the saint lawrence river to trade goods. the europeans were mainly interested in buying furs for the luxury fur and felt market in europe. beaver pelts for use in millinery were particularly sought after. aboriginal people knew the best places and methods for trapping, and therefore became valuable procurers for the europeans. because european traders had no knowledge of the canadian landscape and climate, they also needed aboriginal assistance in surviving. in contrast, aboriginal people were interested in european goods that they previously had no access to, such as metal pots and utensils. as trade continued, the ojibwa people would act as middlemen for the traders, bringing goods into the western interior to trade with the cree and assiniboine, and bringing furs back to the europeans. as the trade progressed into the eighteenth century, the cree and assiniboine people would start becoming middlemen themselves, increasing their participation in the trade. as more aboriginal people became involved in the trade it became apparent that personal relationships were becoming important aspects of the trade. fostering relationships was a valuable way to secure trade access and loyalty between particular native groups and european traders. some historians even believe that this is what caused the great success of the fur trade. for example, brenda macdougall writes that aboriginal people refused to trade only for economic reasons, illuminating how personal relationships were pivotal for the success of the fur trade.
marriage 'à la façon du pays'