the dutch fur trade had begun in canada by the 1500s.
the dutch fur trade had begun in canada by the 1500s.
by when had the dutch fur trade began in canada?
the 1500s
the north american fur trade was the industry and activities related to the acquisition, trade, exchange, and sale of animal furs in north america. aboriginal peoples in canada and native americans in the united states of different regions traded among themselves in the pre–columbian era, but europeans participated in the trade beginning from the time of their arrival in the new world and extended its reach to europe. the french started trading in the 16th century, the english established trading posts on hudson bay in present-day canada in the 17th century, and the dutch had trade by the same time in new netherland. the 19th-century north american fur trade, when the industry was at its peak of economic importance, involved the development of elaborate trade networks.
north american 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'