1. Conflict and Colonialism: HBC and NWC
Ms. Dow
Socials 9

2. Introduction What do you already know about the Fur Trade?
CPH Intro Video

3. Hudson’s Bay Company
During the 17th century, most of the fur-trading areas were controlled by the French
Radisson and Grossiliers (French courier de bois), visited the Hudson’s Bay
They proposed a company around the HB to France, and when refused, took their plea to London = Hudsons Bay Company Formed in 1670

4. Who worked for the HBC?
Posts called ‘factories’, each with a head trader called ‘The Factor” who kept order
Also “clerks” who looked after the store and exchange of goods
“Labourers” loaded and unloaded boats
Staffed by Europeans and traded with First Nations in the area

5. HBC Trading Methods
The HBC practiced “Stay by the Bay” where the First Nations came to the HBC factors near the Hudsons Bay to trade
During the summer, when there was a lot of trade, official trading ceremonies were held
English passed the Royal Charter – forbid First Nations near them to trade with anyone else

6. Where were they located?
Located in Ruperts Land and controlled all the area around the Hudsons Bay
Very cold, lots of bugs
Short trading season

7. Purpose for the HBC
To exploit furs for their home country, England

8. HBC Method of Transportation
Ships from trading posts to Europe
First Nations travelled to the posts so HBC didn’t need inland transportation

9. North West Company
After the fall of New France, Scottish and American traders took over the French fur trade = North West Company formed in 1783
Fierce rivalry with the Hudson’s Bay Company

10. Who worked for the NWC? People who ran NWC posts = “Nor’wester”
“Voyageurs” transported good back and forth between Montreal and First Nations communities. They were often French Canadian or Metis.

11. NWC Trading Methods
Trading methods very different from the Hudson’s Bay Company
The NWC built many posts throughout the interior of the west and north that dealt with specific native communities and used voyageurs to transport furs and goods between posts and Montreal

12. Where was the NWC
NWC land stretched all the way from Montreal to the Prairies!
They were even able to intercept some groups on their way to HBC posts and trade with them – sneaky!

13. Purpose of the NWC
To exploit furs for their home country, France

14. NWC Transportation
Voyageurs travelled by canoe and were usually French Canadian or Metis
Famous for their strength and endurance
Could paddle for 50 min an hour, 10 hours a day

15. Fur Trade Song
Voyageurs are known for the songs that they composed and sang while they paddled.
Here is the most famous example
Click for video