Military Alliances and Conflict:
As the fur trade developed, trading routes going inland were established as well as a network of forts and posts to supply their First Nations trading partners and confirm their presence. Because of this, the First Nations had to adapt to this new commerce. However, the fur trade became so profitable and important that it led to violence throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.The native alliances that the Europeans had made exhibited extreme competition that eventually resulted in all-out warfare. Because of this conflict, the Huron were driven from their traditional territories around Georgian Bay. The French and British continued to compete for control over the rich Interior of North America. This eventually resulted in war and transformed the natives from initial commercial partnership to military alliances that were crucial for their support.
Effects of the Fur Trade:
- Conflict between the Algonquians and the Iroquois increased as they competed for control of the St. Lawrence, gateway for the French fur traders.
- Due to the system of trading posts, the Natives were required to travel great distances to deliver the furs. This resulted in a change in their normal nomadic movements.
- The French and the Natives started to marry and have a family, resulting in Metis people, which previously did not happen.
- Because of the high demand of hunting for fur the Natives were experiencing, their usual hunting time was gone. This resulted in the Natives relying heavily on European food, firearms, and ammunition.
- Because of the profit from fur trading, the Native people’s economy changed from a communal economy to individualized economy. Prior to fur trading, the Natives hunted collectively in communal hunting grounds. However, at the height of fur trading, the Natives hunted for individual profits, causing them to think of the concept of territorial ownership and division of hunting grounds.
- Prior to the fur trade, the native peoples would only take what they needed. However, due to the fur trade, conservation diminished and surpluses of furs were present. This eventually decreased the beaver population.
- Before the natives became in contact with the Europeans, native religions had been animistic. These religions created harmony and peace between the natives and the environment they lived in. When the Europeans arrived, they brought Catholic missionaries, mostly Jesuits, which eventually converted the native people.
- Alcohol was also introduced to the native population, which led to demoralization and decreased values in the native culture.
- When the Europeans came they also brought along diseases, which the native people had no immunity to. This impacted the native population severely.