Competition Between the Hudson’s Bay
Company & The Northwest Company
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The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC)
The North West Company (NWC)
The Main Push for the Trade
Women of the Fur Trade
Tools of the Trade
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Founded in 1670
A charter was granted by King
Charles II
This charter provided the company
with a monopoly over the trade
A monopoly over the watershed of
all rivers and streams flowing into
the Hudson Bay
Profitable trade with the Cree and
Assiniboine - acted as the
middlemen
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Scottish and American traders from Montreal
Picked up where the French had left off (7 Years War)
Following old trade routes and even re-occupying
abandoned French Forts
Employed experienced French Canadian, Metis, and
Iroquois canoeists
Pushed past HBC’s claims-expanded
into the Arctic and as far as the Pacific
A new era for fur trading-daring
dashing and often violent
Eventually established the first
transcontinental economic system in
Canadian History
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Fur Fabric of a Nation-Youtube
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Beaver
Fashion - Hats
Between the 17th & 19 centuries
*Book Caption*
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Firearms
Ammunition
Metal goods
Cloth
Blankets
Tobacco
Alcohol
*Book Caption*
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Usually First Nations women
“Country Wives”
Strengthened ties btwn relatives and
other First Nation groups
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Language /interpreter - good for negotiations
Knowledge of the territory
Wilderness survival techniques
Making toboggans, snowshoes, canoes
Food preparation, particularly pemmican
Preparation of hides and making of moccasins
Medicine
*Book Caption*
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HBC’s policy was made by a committee in London, England
It was declared that women and children would cause
needless expense
During the 1700s, the company forbade men to marry
Many who managed the company outposts disregarded the
rules
Some practiced polygamy
Until the 1780s, only high-ranking personnel entered into
marital relationships
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The NWC’s policy was not like the HBC’s
Voyageurs with permission could marry
The practice was seen as assurance that the fur traders
would stay in the territory and be more successful
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First Nations taught Europeans how to travel
on the rough land and in the cold climate
 Canoes
 Snowshoes
 Dog sleds
*Kutenai Model*
10-12 metres in length-can carry upwards of 4 tonnes of cargo
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NFB-Voyageurs film