1. The Fur Trade & Expansion of the West

2. The Northwest of Canada in 1800s

3. HBC (1670) vs. NWC (1779)

4. Hudson Bay Company Founded in 1670
Radisson and Groseillier’s explored beyond New France
Returned with furs – pitched to King Charles II to back up their business
Claimed the area around Hudson Bay – named Rupert’s Land

5. Hudson Bay Company “Stay by the Bay”
No inland traders -Encouraged First Nations to come to HB
Employees forbidden to “marry” aboriginal women.
Standard of Trade was strict/little room for bargaining
No Alcohol!
Bosses lived in London, England
Employees signed on for term and were paid a set rate
Shipped furs directly to and from England
Hudson Bay is ice-free only from July to mid-September
Main trading fort : York Factory

6. The Fight is On!!!
Challenge to the HBC domination of the fur trade in Canada.
Enter the North West Company

8. Northwest Company Founded in 1783 – rivals of HBC “Montrealers”
Group of French, Scottish & English merchants from Montreal
Seized French fur trade
Expanded trading networks and merged to create NWC
Geographic reasons
Built posts inland -Montreal too far for Natives to travel
Established major trade depot at Fort William (Ontario today)
Similar to HBC – had to trade swiftly to beat the short ice-free season

9. Northwest Company
Less rigid and bossy than the HBC-the employees shared in the profit
Hivernants (wintering partners)
Did the actual fur trading & hunting
Encouraged to “marry” aboriginal women
Spent the winter in the country gathering furs and returned each spring to Montreal
Voyageurs
Muscle power to paddle canoes and carry cargo
Mapped new areas and established new trading posts
More relaxed in trading standards – willing to bargain and even traded alcohol (HBC refused)

10. Map of NWC Trading Area

11. The old task…
In your opinion, which company was better for (1) traders AND (2) First Nations?
List at least 3 reasons why for each-explain your reasoning!

12. The old task… part 2
Draw an employment poster. Choose a company (HBC or NWC) and advertise to hire new employees. Give reasons why someone should work for your company