chapter 9: canada moves west pages 250-284. fur trade was an important part of life in new france...

SOCIAL STUDIES 9Chapter 9: Canada Moves West

Pages 250-284

Introduction

Fur Trade was an important part of life in New France and Canadao Canada was, in effect, founded

on fashiono Through the beaver hato Became a fashion rage

throughout Europeo Because of the demand for fur,

traders travelled from one end of the continent to the other in search of furs.

Exploration and the Fur Trade

Natives met traders long before they met other Europeans

Both profited from the exchanges Natives traded for goods such as metal hatchets,

pots, and glass beads Fur traders only wanted the furs, not to conquer the

natives Fur traders were the middle-men between the

natives and Europeans Fur traders used trade routes that had been

established for centuries by natives Was in balance, but wars could easily be fought if

either felt cheated

Fur Trading Companies

From the start of the Fur Trade companies like Hudson Bay Company and the Company of 100 Associates tried to get monopolies, meaning that they along had the rights to certain trading partners and territories.

Northwest Company

After New France fell in 1763, the French fur trade was taken over by Scottish and American businessmen.

Eventually formed the Northwest Company in 1783.

There was a fierce rivalry between HBC and NWC.

This competition benefited the natives

Economic Imperialism

It is important to remember that fur trading companies were Economic Imperialists: (exploit land for profit) where imperialism refers to the domination of one country by another politically, economically or culturally… So therefore economic imperialism refers to economic domination.

Fur traders travelled and mapped the network of rivers and lakes in the west and north of the country

The Hudson’s Bay Company

What is it?

The HBC, is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and is one of the oldest in the world.

It was once the de facto government ("concerning the fact" or in practice but not ordained by law) in parts of North America before European-based colonies and nation states existed.

It was at one time the largest landowner in the world.

It is now owned by an American.

HBC coat of arms, showing the old Latin motto pro pelle cutem: a skin for a skin.

The HBC motto is "pro pelle cutem," which may have a clever double meaning. One interpetation is that it means they wanted the skin, cutem, for the sake of the fleece, pro pelle. The other is that it means "for the pelts which we collect, we risk our skins." They believed they were taking a risk with their money by going into the business. For the traders in Canada, the risk could even more real: weather, accidents, animals, or hostile traders could kill them!

Who started it? Two French traders, Pierre-Esprit Radisson and

Medard des Grosseilliers, learned of excellent fur trading grounds and sought permission from the French to build a trading post on the bay, making it easier to move furs by sea rather than by land.

However, the recently appointed French Secretary of State, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, was trying to promote farming in the colony, and was opposed to exploration and trapping.

The two men got help from Boston businessmen and went to ask Britain for financial backing.

After financing an expedition, King Charles II granted the men a Royal Charter.

Why?

The real objective of the company was to establish itself in the frozen wilderness as an alternative to the French Canadian fur traders

To expand and dominate the trade from North America to Europe.

How? The charter granted the company a

monopoly over the Indian Trade, especially the fur trade, in the region watered by all rivers and streams flowing into Hudson Bay in northern Canada, an area known as Rupert's Land after the first governor of the Company, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a first cousin of Charles.

Prince Rupert helped convince Charles to finance and grant the charter.

When?

The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay was incorporated on May 2, 1670, with a Royal Charter from King Charles II.

Where?

•Areas once belonging to Rupert's Land include all of Manitoba, most of Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, southern Nunavut, northern parts of Ontario and Quebec, as well as parts of Minnesota and North Dakota and very small parts of Montana and South Dakota.•This covered an area of 3.9 million square kilometres (1.5 million sq mi), over one-third the area of Canada today).

The first company headquarters on the bay, Fort Nelson, was established at the mouth of the nearby Nelson River in 1682.

The establishment of the fort provoked a quick response from France, which sent a naval force to Hudson Bay to capture and destroy the fort in 1684.

The company built a second fort on the Hayes river, naming it after the Duke of York.

HBC Forts

Other forts were established earlier, but captured by France and changed hands several times:

Charles Fort (1668) Moose Factory

(1673) Fort Albany (1674)

Information about Posts

Its posts were called “factories” because the head trader was called “the Factor”

Posts were located at the mouths of large rivers on the shores of Hudson Bay and James Bay.

Posts staffed by Europeans Relied on Cree, Assiniboin and Chippewan to bring

furs. Natives were eager to trade with HBC because it was

the only post around for thousands of square miles. The trade was reasonable and fair (if price not good

enough Natives would only trade inferior furs) Ships once a year Communicated with directors in London once a year.

Made Beaver (MB)

MB Tokens - Could be spent like cash in the HBC stores

Living in an HBC Post

Factories were staffed by the Factor and clerks who worked in the store

Also numerous trades people e.g. boat builders, carpenters, smiths

All received salaries Hours long and few holidays Lots of drinking and eating during the winter Posts acted like the shopping malls and

community centres of today Stocked essentials as well as decorative

items

HBC Blanket

Trading Ceremonies

Monotony of daily life interrupted during trading sessions

Customs and traditions of First Nations had to be respected before any friendship or business relationship could develop

One of the most important customs was the smoking of the peace pipe

Then the native trading captain would describe the past year, number of furs brought, etc

Trading Ceremony

Native trading captain given a uniform

Factor also wore an elaborate costume

Other gifts given out e.g. liquor and tobacco

Feasting and partying then took place

The North West Company

Who Rivalled the HBC ? The North West Company - A

partnership of Scottish and American capitalists who moved to Montreal beginning immediately after the fall of New France in 1763.

1783 – a number of smaller companies merged to form the NWC. Used French employees and French contacts.

How were the trading methods of the NWC different from those of the HBC?

BRITISH NORTH AMERICAThe Fur Trade

HBC

Paid by salary “Pay at the Bay” policy Discouraged alcohol Discouraged

fraternization Better quality goods Oldest continuous Co.

in the world. Built more forts to

keep up with the NWC

NWC

-Paid by commission Built many posts Go to the source

policy Aggressive trade

policy Encouraged

marriages More expensive

good

Life of a Voyageur

The entire distance from Montreal to Rocky Mountains could be travelled by water, but it was VERY difficult.

Usual route: First stage using rivers all the way to the far

shore of Lake Superior (Grand Portage aka Fort William)

Second stage used smaller canoes using lakes and rivers (Lake Winnipeg and Saskatchewan River)

Canadiens

Voyageurs who worked for the NWC were called Canadiens and they were famous for their strength and endurance.

Paddling fifty minutes out of every hour. 40 strokes of the paddle a minute. Sang songs to help time go by (and take

mind off hard work). Portage: Carry canoe and goods over land

to the next waterway. They would carry 36 kg of goods (called

piéces).

A Comparison of Canoes

Diet of a Voyageur

Unappetizing meals Main meal was cooked dried peas or

cornmeal mixed with water and bits of lard or pemmican

A special treat (galette) was when the cook punched a hole in the bag of flour and poured in a little water with salt. The main flavoring came from the cook’s

unwashed hands. (similar to pancakes).

NWC Wintering Partners

The NWC cut overhead costs by having the partners work in the field rather than hiring managers or factors to do the trading

Called “wintering partners” because they spent the winter away from Montreal

If you spent at least a year west of the depot at Fort William – “Nor-westers”

Taught to be resourceful and tough Moved westward to find new sources of

fur

End of Rivalry

Eventually the competition was too much and the two companies joined together in 1821

Exploration

The NWC produced more explorers than HBC because of the difference in how they operated business.

Henry Kelsey In 1690 sent by the HBC

to encourage native peoples to bring their furs to York Factory

During two year journey, he reached The Las and Saskatoon

Samuel Hearne Sent by HBC in 1769 Failed at school, Joined the Royal Navy and learned

basic navigation skills Explored northern part of Rupert’s

Land with Chipewyan guides to find copper.

Unsuccessful until his third mission Matonabbee,a great hunter and

chief, taught him to survive in barren land and where copper was

After 2 years they had travelled close to 2 years (6,000 km on foot).

Alexander Mackenzie

He worked for the North West Company

In 1789 ordered by Peter Pond to find a river to the Pacific from Lake Athabasca

On his first expedition in 1789, he would follow the river that now bears his name all the way to the Arctic Ocean.

Second Expedition - 1792 Decided to follow the

Peace River and depend on his native guides

Travelled on the Fraser River until too dangerous and then went westward on the Blackwater river system

Ended up in Bella Coola Thought he had been on

the Columbia River. First European expedition

to cross the land mass of Canada by land

This is the same rock and the words are almost the same. However, Mackenzie used bear grease and a red colouring to write his words. These words were carved into the rock much, much later.

Simon Fraser

Simon Fraser Worked for the North West

Company. He was the top man for

the company in what is now British Columbia.

Between 1805 and 1808, crossed into the central parts of BC and set up posts at Fort McLeod, Fort Fraser, Fort St. James, and Fort George

Named the area “New Caledonia” because it reminded him of Scotland

Simon Fraser He explored the river that now

bears his name in the spring and summer of 1808.

He got as far what is now the northwest part of Sea Island (where the airport is) on July 2, 1808.

He could barely see the ocean waters when he was attacked by the natives and he had to turn back.

He felt even worse later on when he discovered he wasn’t on the river he thought he was!

He had always believed he was on the Columbia River.

David Thompson

He started working for the Hudson’s Bay company in 1784 at the age of 14.

He stayed with the company until 1797.

He moved to the North West company and did more exploration.

In 1811, he was the first European to travel the full length of the Columbia River.

When Thompson retired, he had mapped almost one-fifth of North America!

He was one of the greatest land geographers ever.

Mackenzie reached an inlet of the Pacific. He tried to go on to see open water but was turned back by unfriendly natives. He missed seeing George Vancouver by 48 days.

Pacific Coast

Explorers on the Pacific coast north of Oregon found that the indigenous people were not willing to surrender their rights to Europeans

These were large populations with well-organized societies

One of the most famous leaders was Maquinna, who was a Nu-chal’-nath leader from the area of Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island

Spanish Explorers

After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Spain began the conquest northward

When Spain got wind that Russia was beginning to explore the Pacific Coast, they started to send explorers

Juan de Fuca claimed to have found a waterway into the coast of North America (Juan de Fuca Strait)

Juan Perez

First explorer was Juan Perez who was sent in 1774

Not able to do coastline mapping because he sailed in a ship to large to approach the shore

Reached Haida Gwaii and traded with the Haida there

Bodega Y Quadra

In 1775 and 1779 sailed north and reached Alaska

Russian Explorers

Tsar Peter the Great planned to make Russia a world power and wanted an empire that could complete with the rest of the world

Vitus Bering

A Dane sent by Tsar Peter in 1725 to look for land suitable for a Russian colony to the east of Siberia

Took three years just to reach the Pacific coast of Russia

Explored the North Pacific and the Bering Strait

Bering’s Voyages

Bering and Alaska

In 1741, Bering landed on the Alaska coast and began trading with the Aleut people

Died on the return journey When the survivors were offered high

prices for the soft, luxurious furs of sea otters by Chinese merchants, a brisk trade in these skins began

Soon, Russian fur traders were busy hunting the sea otter off the Alaska coast

Captain James Cook

He was the first European explorer to set foot on the coast of what is now British Columbia

English navigator

Captain Cook

Famous author whose books would sell out in three days of publication

Used sauerkraut (to get rid of scurvy, as it was a source of vitamin C)

Good navigator, map-maker, and great leader In 1768, circumnavigated the globe, bringing

back scientific information and specimens Second trip, he found Antarctica Third trip he proved the Northwest Passage

did not exist

First nations people in canoes go out to meet HMS Resolution, Captain Cook’s ship. The second ship in the expedition, HMS Discovery, is seen in the background.

On his way to Nootka Sound, Captain Cook completely missed the Juan de Fuca Strait. It is interesting to note that the word “nutka” in the native language means “go around”.

Captain Cook is seen meeting the natives at Nootka Sound in March 1778. Cook’s ships HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery can be seen in the background. Four years earlier, a Spanish ship also came to Nootka Sound but the crew did not land.

1st voyage (RED) – 1768 to 17712nd voyage (GREEN) – 1772 to 17753rd voyage (BLUE) – 1776 to 1780

James Cook died on February 14, 1779 in Hawaii.

George Vancouver

One of Cook’s officers Sent by the British to

strengthen Britain’s claim to the Pacific Coast – based on 1778 visit of Cook

Arrived in Burrard Inlet in 1792 and found 2 Spanish ships already there

George Vancouver

Spanish agreed to work with the British to chart the channels and inlets of the Strait of Georgia

Spain gave up claims to the coast north of California

Expeditions between 1792-1794 Vancouver produced accurate and detailed

maps Guarded his sailors against scurvy Worked himself to exhaustion Died in 1798

The first European settlement in western Canada was at Red River in 1811.

Women in the Fur Trade

Only recently studied, without their help, doubtful trader could have been successful.

Traders took “country wives” (Native or Métis) provided many benefits for their husbands

Family and social connections Knowledge about customs Acted as interpreters

Ensured actual survival of European traders by:

Make sagamite (ground corn) Make moccasins Made snowshoes Leather clothing Gathered firewood Made pemmican Supplied other foods such as fish, maple sugar

and berries. Women dressed the furs

Women in the Fur Trade

Native and Métis women worked just as hard as their men, but they are rarely mentioned in documents or journals

Native and Métis women suffered, but could seldom retaliate.

They were often abandoned when European males married European women

Arrival of Settlers

Great amount of money to be made in the fur trade

In 1788, furs sold in London for the value of £ 191,000 – millions of dollars today

The HBC and NWC worked against each other to win Native customers and suppliers away from each other

Ambushed each other

Lord Selkirk and the Red River Colony

Selkirk hoped to re-settle Scots in Canada Had a large tract of agricultural land set

aside along the Red River (close to modern Winnipeg)

Got the land from the HBC – though land went through NWC trade routes

Given the rights to settle an area of thousands of square killometres - Assiniboia

Lord Selkirk

Did not know much about agriculture and sent his settlers to the area without ploughs – only had hoes and spades

Only because of the assistance of the Metis were the settlers able to survive

Why was NWC upset?

Settlers took up land directly across its trade routs

Disrupted the buffalo hunts of the Metis who used the meat to supply pemmican to the Nor’westers

Start of Pemmican Wars

The Governor of the Selkirk settlement did a foolish thing…

He issued a proclamation forbidding the export of pemmican from the Red River.

The NWC could not afford to bring all their food from Montreal

So… this confirmed NWC belief that HBC had planted the colony to ruin NWC, and as a result the pemmican war broke out between the two companies.

Pemmican War

NWC offered to transport settlers to different region – Upper Canada.

Seven Oaks: conflict… governor and 21 settlers and HBC employees were killed.

Selkirk retaliated by capturing Fort William (NWC headquarters)

NWC sued Selkirk and he lost a lot of money… but shortly thereafter he died and then the two companies merged anyways.

Results of HBC/NWC merger

HBC hired many NWC employees Stopped using the long route from Lake

Superior to Montreal All furs shipped out through Hudson Bay.

George Simpson

New HBC governor of Rupert’s Land

Like a dictator Called “little

emperor” Was governor for

40 years Promoted

conservation