The Fur Trade, The HBC and The NWC

Why did European ships first come to North America?

• To trade furs

• To fish

• To explore new lands

• To find gold

What happened when furs and items from North America were taken back to Europe?

• The demand decreased

• The demand stayed the same

• The demand grew

• The demand disappeared

What did First Nations peoples do amongst each other, even BEFORE Europeans came to Canada?

• Trading with each other for needed items

• Farming large fields

• Building large cities

• Writing books

Who did the early Europeans trade with (for furs) in Canada?

• First Nations and Inuit

• Chinese merchants

• African tribes

• South American explorers

Why might the beaver be considered an important symbol in Canada?

• It is a common pet.

• It is known for building dams.

• Its fur was valuable historically.

• It is the largest animal in Canada.

When the French government wanted to increase their influence in Canada, who did they ask to start expanding the fur trade to new areas?

• Jacques Cartier

• Samuel de Champlain

• Louis XIV

• René Descartes

Champlain sent young men to live with the First Nations people, in an effort to expand the fur trade. Their job was to trade. What were these men FIRST called?

• Voyageurs

• Trappers

• Coureurs de bois

• Furriers

What does "coureurs de bois" mean?

• Traders of the sea

• Runners of the woods

• Hunters of the land

• Walkers of the forest

Why did the number of coureurs de bois grow quickly?

• The fur trade was easy to control.

• Many young men were attracted to the adventure and freedom.

• The fur trade was not popular.

• There were no other jobs available.

What was one reason the fur trade became difficult to control?

• The number of coureurs de bois decreased.

• The coureurs de bois were not interested in the fur trade.

• The number of coureurs de bois grew quickly.

• The fur trade was not profitable.