The Fur Trade 1650- 1850

The Barter System The Native Americans trapped furs and traded with the French and English for goods. This system of trade was called the barter system. The furs were valuable, because beaver fur in Europe was scarce.

Beaver Fur was all the Fashion The Europeans used the beaver fur to make hats, especially top hats. The hats were very fashionable in Europe. They would dye the beaver fur black. They still make beaver hats today but aren’t nearly as popular, but be prepared to spend around $650.

Voyageurs When the French received a large collection of furs, they would give them to voyageurs to take them to Europe. Then the voyageurs would return back to bring goods to trade with the Native Americans.

Risk to Native American Culture Very quickly the natives became dependent on European products. Many Indians abandoned their own culture for that of the Europeans. Manufactured goods replaced the items that natives had formerly made for themselves.

French and Indian War Both the French and the English believed the land in America belonged to them. They wanted to this land to live and trade with the Native Americans. Therefore, a war between the French and British arose. It is called the French and Indian war because the Native Americans joined the French. The British side won in 1763. The French were forced out of Indiana.