Fur Trade In Canada Essay

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Another key resource in the attraction to Canada was the fur that was available. In the 17th and 18th century, fur was in high demand in Europe. Fur pelts were seen as fashionable, and of high value at the time. Beavers were a main provider of fur pelts, and were decreasing in amount within Europe, due to the high demand and mass production of these fur pelts in Europe. This relates to why the Europeans were very motivated to trade with Canadians, as these fur pelts would have been of high value and demand in Europe, creating a boost in the economy and profit for the merchants. In Europe around 1600, North American fur was also seen as of higher quality than European fur, thus concluding that in many ways North American fur was of a greater value and ‘superior’ to fur originating in Europe. These were main reasons that …show more content…

Consequently, the search for fur pelts led to further exploration of the land, allowing more of the resources to be found and used as an advantage for Europe. It also allowed for more towns, cities, and trading posts to be established, which then increased the Canadian population (“Living Off the Land”, 1). One of the many effects the exploitation of Canadian fur had was the fact that companies and colonies were founded. One specific example that is often credited for much of the fur trade in Canada is the notable Hudson’s Bay Company (“The Hudson’s Bay Company Is Established: 1670.”, 1). It was mainly started by Pierre Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart Des Groseilliers, two explorers and trade leaders that were in search of fur and contribution to France’s quickly growing economy. The two also were motivated by the search of land towards the West and North, unlike other aims from the French government. One of the instances that proved the French government’s unwillingness to explore in these areas includes when Groseilliers returned from Hudson’s Bay with a spectacular quantity of fur, claiming he had found an overland trade route, he was

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