Main Idea Notes on the Wisconsin Fur Trade Fur Trade in Wisconsin Main Idea Notes on the Wisconsin Fur Trade

White Men Coming to WI Priests – conversion to Catholicism Explorers – natural resources/trade route east (Asia) Had heard and seen gold/riches coming back with the Spanish so the French too were intrigued. Jean Nicolet (1634) Interacted with the Native tribes he encountered – wanted to make peace with them Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Potawatomi

French and Indian Became trade partners French learned their language and culture Metis – French and Indian babies Traded furs for European goods Improved Indian farming Helped hunters Native philosophy: the creator brings the animal to an individual as a gift and the animal willingly sacrifices its life so the person may eat and be clothed – regardless European goods improved efficiency

Disadvantages for the Indians Had to meet the demand (almost impossible) Depletion of resources Hunting parties from one tribe move into hunting grounds of neighboring tribes = conflict Tribes split and spread out – altering the sense of community. Male hunters were absent from families for long periods of time – women adopted male tasks. Women were not asked for advice as much as they used to; tribes became more male dominated (Americanization) Introduction of alcohol No tolerance and quickly became addicted. Fur trade depleted natural resources, and Indian communities suffered great loss due to European diseases, many became impoverished = turned to alcohol to forget their problems.

British Arrive 1740s – British traders arrived and challenged the French (French and Indian War) British defeated the French in 1759 (took over the fur trade) WI Indians resented this – French understood the Native practice of gift-giving and good relations British used fear tactics and threats (tyranny)

Pontiac’s Rebellion 1763 Pontiac organized Indian groups of the Western Great Lakes in a rebellion against the British (no Menominee or Ho-Chunk) Captured many British forts but could not hold onto them. British passed the Proclamation of 1763 – forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachians (largely ignored) Reintroduction of the French practice of gift-giving, relaxing the restrictions on selling guns and ammunition to tribes.

After the American Revolution American government took control of the fur trade (government-run posts) Did not work as the old system continued to be utilized under the table. Americans didn’t know how to cultivate relationships with WI Indians Charged high prices for their hunting supplies (impoverishing the natives more) Freely traded alcohol for furs (alcohol abuse)

Depletion 1830s – population of some fur bearing animals were dwindling. Beaver were nearly extinct/once fashionable was now out of style. Lumber was the next go to, until deforestation took its toll on those resources Predominantly lead mining became popular in parts of WI – other resources were mined as well. Lead prices dropped = miners turned to farming Rich soil brought settlers to WI (wanted land – Native land)