CRYSTAL HAWKINS

American ColoniesCanada

The Fur Trade

Settlers in the areas around Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence lived in temporary camps.

They were in consistent contact with native groups.Settlers traded European goods for furs.Furs were an ideal commodity which commanded

high prices and were easy to send back to Europe.Natives believed that all living things, including the

animals killed for their furs, had spiritual power.Settlers traded copper, colorful glass beads, alcohol,

and many other things for the furs.

The Dutch Trade

In 1614 a Dutch company established a year-round trading post.

The French and Dutch created rivalry in European commerce by having posts so near each other.

The Iroquois enjoyed having proximity to the Dutch for trade. The Dutch offered guns more readily than the French.

The French extended their fortified post westward to protect the fur trade.

Both Dutch and French came to depend on Iroquois hostility

Jesuits

Although fur trade played a major role, the French colony was supported by Catholic desire to convert Indians.

The French drew their inspiration from Spanish success in the west.

Because of the clothing for their order, Jesuit priests were known to the Indians as the “Black Robes”

Jesuits mastered native languages and went to native villages to build churches.

Unfortunately, lethal diseases followed the Jesuits to Canada from Europe, killing half the Huron people.

The Five Nations

The Five Nation Iroquois lived in large, fortified villages.

Women harvested and cultivated, men fought in war.

Warriors maintained power by adopting or torturing prisoners.

“Mourning wars” occurred in which warriors took prisoners from their enemies. Prisoners were given the option of “adoption” or

death.Although it seems gruesome and cruel, it is

not too far removed from European customs.