Fur Traders of the PNW Introduction and Vocabulary

Agenda (You don’t have to write this down) – Get textbooks out Chapter Six, page – Objective – Chapter overview – Vocab activity Word Find/define/explain Share

Objective: – Upon completion of this lesson you should be able to define and explain the importance of six vocabulary words relating to the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest.

Quick overview – Timeframe: 1780s-1840s – Some overlap with explorers we learned about – First large-scale exploitation of the economic potential seen by Captain Cook – Important roles: Trappers Traders Companies (four big ones)

Activity – Word – Find in glossary (record definition) – Cold calls – Read indicated section from textbook – Explain importance (2-4 sentences) – Partner share – Cold calls

1) Fur Definition: the soft, thick hair on animal skins and pelts. They were of significant economic value in the early 19 th century. Now read: “Fur Trade Era” section on page 138 Importance: Furs were important to PNW history because their economic value in other places encouraged Europeans, Americans and Russians to explore the PNW. This exploration forced the outsiders to interact and develop relationships with natives.

2) Trapper Definition: one who traps fur-bearing animals for their pelts Now read: “Trading Goods for Fur Pelts” section, page Importance: Trappers were the folks who actually caught and skinned the animals for the fur trade. They were important because without them the traders would not have been able to profit by taking furs to China, America and Europe. Europeans, Americans, French Canadians and natives all filled the role of trapper. It was a job that cut across ethnic lines.

3) Pelt Definition: the skin of a fur-bearing animal, especially after it is stripped from the carcass. Review: “Trading Goods for Fur Pelts” section, page Importance: Pelts were important because they were the valuable piece of the beavers, otters and foxes. Trappers wanted the pelts to swap for goods that traders brought into the region.

4) Monopoly Definition: an economic term referring to a lack of competition, when ownership and/or control belongs to one party. Exclusive control of a commodity or service in a market. Now read: “The Four Fur Companies” section, page 142 (List the four companies in your response) Importance: The Pacific Fur Co., the North West Fur Co., the Hudson’s Bay Co. and the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. were important because those were the ones who organized and profited from the fur trade. They took the advice of men like Capt. Cook and John Meares to heart.

5) Labor supply Definition: the number of workers available for employment. Now read: “Why Northwest Fur Trade Boomed” section, pages 142 and 143 Importance: Labor supply was important because there was cheap labor available in the PNW. The cheap labor was a factor in fur companies’ decisions to explore and develop the fur trade.

6) Merger Definition: combining of several companies and/or corporations. Now read: “The Northwest Fur Company” section, page 145, 146 (stop at “Alexander Mackenzie) AND “Results” section, page 148 Importance: Mergers are important to the topic because the North West Fur Co. was formed when several trading groups combined in Later, in 1821, the NWFC merged with the Hudson’s Bay Company, which gave the HBC a near monopoly.