HBC and NWC KWL On the handout provided

HBC and NWC

KWL � On the handout provided, please fill in what you can in the “Know” to answer the question �“How were the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company a part of Canada’s development? ” � At the end of class we will return to this sheet and see what we can come up with to fill out the rest of it

The Hudson’s Bay Company

The HBC � Formed in 1670 ◦ Supported by the King to have England become more competitive in the Fur Trade ◦ Gained exclusive trading rights in all of Rupert’s Land, specifically around rivers flowing into Hudson’s Bay

How the Operated � “Stay By The Bay” policy ◦ Created trading posts at the mouths of rivers by Hudson’s Bay ◦ Indigenous people had to travel incredible distances to reach them ◦ Primarily after beaver pelts, value of goods based on the value of one beaver fur (1 fur = something)

The North West Company

THE NWC � By the mid 1700 s fur traders from France had established many trading posts along the rivers ◦ They went deeper and further than HBC traders to make new contacts ◦ When British took control of New France in 1763, the French fur trade was taken over by British merchants living in Montreal ◦ Continued to employ French traders, and turned it into the NWC

So What’s the Difference? The Hudson’s Bay Co. The North West Co. Effect It Had Managed from London Managed from Montreal New employees and instructions took longer to arrive from London Only London directors could share in profits Year round employees could share in profits NWC employees had added incentive to work Would not bargain, and never traded alcohol Open to bargaining, would trade alcohol NWC was much more popular company to deal with Held to a “stay by the bay” policy Explored deeply into the Northwest, setting up forts along rivers Easier for first nations to reach NWC post Discouraged partnerships with first nations (marriages) Encouraged partnerships with first nations (marriages) HBC later changed the policy, but early on the NWC had an advantage

How did this affect Canada? � Essentially they created the economic framework through which Canada could be created. ◦ Not only that, but they controlled so much land that they would later sell to settlers, who created Canada ◦ Other conflict arose as well from their work, such as the Battle of Seven Oaks, and also many of the issues the Métis had with settlers

Brain Break � Three minutes, do not leave the classroom

Fur Trading Game � You will be divided into two groups ◦ Indigenous Traders ◦ European Traders � Your objective is to trade either furs for goods, or goods for furs based on the value provided � You must trade until there are no options left � After each round you will take notes on what you observed, and ask any questions you have thought of.

Debriefing Activity � How was the fur trade conducted? � What advantages did the fur trade have on indigenous peoples? � What disadvantages did it have? � Do you think items traded were of equivalent value? � How did the Fur Trade effect the opening up of Canadian territory? � How would the geography of Canada affect fur trading?