A history of the pioneer trading posts and early fur companies of the missouri valley and the rocky mountains and. Eighteen biographical sketches, trappers of the far west. During the early years of the fur trade in western canada, competition between the english and. The fur trade became one of the main economic ventures in north america attracting competition among the french, british, dutch, spanish, and russians. Examine the fur trade in the northeast, the north, the west. The trade is a grand, sprawling saga of the northwestern fur trade in the first half of the nineteenth century. It would be a shame if that were to happen with respect to the fur trade. Alexander henry the elder august 1739 4 april 1824 was one of the leading pioneers of the britishcanadian fur trade, following the british conquest of new france. It is a seminal part of who we are as a nation, and how we came to be. The american fur trade of the far west two volumes in one by. The fur trade was one of the earliest and most important industries in north america. Also available in digital form on the library of congress web site. Description in stressing the exploitation and destruction of the physical and human environment rather than the usual frontier romanticism, david wishart has provided for students of the transmississippi fur trade. The mountain men and the fur trade of the far west.
The mountain men and the fur trade of the far west series book 9. Soon after the lewis and clark expedition of 1804, many european americans were inspired to head out into the rocky mountain west in pursuit of the fur trade. After the shortlived american pacific fur company was sold, the british controlled the fur trade in the pacific northwest, under first the north west company and then the hudsons bay company. State historical society of wisconsin askin, john date. Although primarily focusing on canada, the fur trade and the lists within this book do cover parts of northern minnesota. Mackie examines the first stages of economic diversification in this fur trade region and its transformation. Send your question, with your citystate of residence, to marshall. The fur trade gamble audiobook by lloyd keith, john c. It describes the hunters and trappers,the history of the furtrade west from 1807 to 1843,the santa fe trade,how the western country looked like and the indians. The furs were mostly sold in china in exchange for tea, silks, porcelain, and other chinese goods, which were then sold in europe and the united. However, by the late 1700s, the fur trade began to decline as furbearing animals became. A commercial fur trade in north america grew out of the early contact between indians and european fisherman who were netting cod on the grand banks off newfoundland and on the bay of gaspe near quebec. Feb 25, 2018 apart from being crucial in shaping the early american west, these annual gatherings proved to be quite profitable for some people. Book the fur trade in the west rcmp heritage centre.
Fort union and the upper missouri fur trade by barton b. The fur trade began in the 1500s as an exchange between indians and europeans. Historically the trade stimulated the exploration and colonization of siberia, northern north america, and the south shetland and. The fur trade is, for good reason, symbolic of the history of canada since the 160os.
Chittenden locks in seattle, washington, were named. In 176364, he lived and hunted with wawatam of the ojibwa, who had adopted him as a brother. Then tap the order button below and that will start the secure server shopping box system. His book the american fur trade of the far west was first published in 1902 and he passed away in 1917. Hafen is also the editor of mountain men and fur traders of the far west. The fur trade in the american west may 25, 2016 marshall trimble from the birth of the nation until the 1840s the fur trade was one of the vanguards of american industry. The american side of the fur trade tends to be an overlooked aspect of both american history and general fur trade history. The revenant by michael punke, across the wide missouri by bernard devoto, fur, fortune, and empire.
Chittenden provides brilliant biographies of many of the most important figures in the history of the fur trade, from the explorers, lewis and clark, to trappers like hugh glass and joseph meek, to pioneers like frances garces and jim. The french and indian war was as much over trade with the indians as it was about access to furs. It was very interesting because it described so much. Yet, he writes, the book is one of the few in canadian historical literature that deserves to be described as seminal. A wisconsin furtraders journal, 180405 addressed to the partners of the north west fur company. Hiram martin chittenden october 25, 1858 october 9, 1917 was a noted historian of the american west, especially the fur trade. The fur trade, transportation, and change in the early twentieth century. Nov 30, 2016 the fur trade in the west makes western canadas rich and fascinating history come alive. This book helps to put that part of the fur trade all together. Useful text in both english and french and wellresearched coloring sheets that detail various aspects of the fur trade and the daily lives of voyageurs. The fur trade of the 1800s played a major role in americas westward expansion. Since the establishment of a world fur market in the early modern period, furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued. And as the trade died down along the coast due to the annihilation of the source of fur, dolin offers that land became the desire of the colonists forcing more tribes west or to isolated areas.
Harold adams innis november 5, 1894 november 8, 1952 was a professor of political. The fur trading industry played a major role in the development of the united states and canada for more than 300 years. May 25, 2016 marshall trimble is arizonas official historian and the wild west history associations vice president. We have been in business since 1997 and specialize in books on the american west, custer, military, civil war, indian wars, cowboys, cattle industry, fur trade, lewis and clark, travel and exploration. Its publication in 1902 made clear how much the fur trade was indissolubly connected to the history of north america. However, by the late 1700s, the fur trade began to decline as furbearing animals became increasingly scarce. Rcmp heritage centre book the fur trade in the west. The book describes everything about the furtrade in the american west. It is the most comprehensive book available on canadas fur trade, designed to help students celebrate canadas 150th birthday in 2017 by learning what was happening in the west in the years leading up to 1867.
The american fur trade of the far west two volumes in onepaperback the american fur trade of the far west, vol. Frontiers and the fur trade, new york, john day company, 1929, by sydney greenbie page images at hathitrust. So, i wanted to see how this book handled the task, particularly as canadian and american fur trade history i chose this book because i was intrigued by the idea of learning about the fur trade from the american perspective. In canada, the fur trade led to exploration of the continent, conflict over resources, and the birth of a nation.
Aside from creating economic competition throughout the land, competition also had an affect on the people involved. Further exploration of north america, making legends of dozens of men, as well as the great furtrading companies such as john jacob astor s american fur company, hudsons bay company, the oldest company in north america, manuel lisas missouri fur company, and dozens of others. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Photos and drawings, especially those of the south platte forts, are generous, and some seldom seen. The snake river fur post is a reconstructed fur trade post on the snake river west of pine city, minnesota, united states of america. The federal government tried to protect the american indians from land speculators, fur traders, and eventually the mountain men and the suppliers of the mountain man rendezvous through the trade and intercourse acts. The algonquianspeaking people became allies of the french, the iroquoianspeaking people became allies of the british. Suggested reading grand portage national monument u. The changing fur trade in the nwt northwest territories. North american fur trade was at its peak of economic importance in the 19th century, and involved the development of elaborate trade networks. Jul 01, 2010 the american side of the fur trade tends to be an overlooked aspect of both american history and general fur trade history. The whole fur trade system is traced out from the green river rendezvous or the fort union post to the trading houses of st. The maritime fur trade was a shipbased fur trade system that focused on acquiring furs of sea otters and other animals from the indigenous peoples of the pacific northwest coast and natives of alaska.
Hiram martin chittenden s seminal work the american fur trade of the far west is a fascinating history of the far west. Its first publication in 1902 made clear how much the fur trade was indissolubly connected to the history of north america. At the time of its publication in 1930, the fur trade in canada challenged and inspired scholars, historians, and economists. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Hiram martin chittenden 18581917 was a leading historian of the american west, especially the fur trade. To prevent american fur traders from competing, the british companies adopted a policy of destroying fur resources west of the rocky mountains. Ive read several books concerning the fur trade west of the mississippi river. Ashley, who was the main supplier of trade goods at the rocky mountain rendezvous, soon made a fortune thanks to the rendezvous, and in just a couple of years was able to retire from the fur trade. It was at its peak for nearly 250 years, from the early 17th to the mid19th centuries. Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents several histories in one. A history of the pioneer trading posts and early fur companies of the missouri valley and the rocky mountains and the overland commerce with santa fe. Sixteen biographical sketches, and fur traders, trappers, and mountain men of the upper missouri, all available as bison books. Books on the american fur trade and mountain men arranged alphabetically by author.
Mountain men and the paths to the pacifichardcover. Written by phyllis arnold, the book is 80 pages and contains hundreds of photos, maps and other visuals, with text geared to the upper elementary reading level. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Prior to becoming a historian he was a graduate of west point and became a district engineer for the army corps of engineers. Fur trade violence and its aftermath in yaquina narrative by byram, r. In the 1600s europeans formed powerful companies that would dominate the fur trade and create alliances with first nations group for over two centuries. Today, chittenden is best remembered for two acclaimed classics. The two companies built trading posts far west of lake superior and hudson bay, but the norwesters were more. The american fur trade of the far west two volumes in one book. Malhiot, francois victor north west company state historical society of wisconsin date.
First published in 1974, this bestselling book was lauded by choice as an important, groundbreaking study of the assiniboine and western. Looking at the long term what french historians call the tongue duree, examine the fur trade in the northeast, the north, the west, and on the west coast from ca. The fur trade in the american west true west magazine. Eighteen biographical sketchespaperback a life wild and perilous. It opens out onto new methodological vistas and paradigms in western history. History of the fur trade montana trappers association. French fur traders and voyageurs in the american west. May 01, 2003 mountain men were the principal figures of the fur trade era, one of the most interesting, dramatic, and truly significant phases of the history of the american transmississippi west during the first half of the 19th century. The fur trade of the american west 18071840 by david j. Epic in sweep and reach, strongly written and superbly researched, the american fur trade of the far west is an established classic in the field of american history. Examine the fur trade in the northeast, the north, the. Epic in sweep and reach, strongly written and superbly researched, the american fur trade of the far west is a classic if there ever was one.
This is an impressive achievement for a book so brief. Book gnwft the great northwest fur trade, a material culture, 17631850, artifacts and guns of the early fur trade, photographed in beautiful full color, by ryan r. Chittenden provides brilliant biographies of many of the most important figures in the history of the fur trade, from the explorers, lewis and clark, to trappers like hugh glass and joseph meek, to pioneers like frances garces and jim beckwourth, as well as missionaries like father p. Discover the background and details of the hudsons bay company and the north west company. The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Hafen state historian of colorado, emeritus professor of history, brigham young university. The post was established in the fall of 1804 by john sayer, a partner in the north west company, and built by his crew of voyageurs. The fur trade was a booming business in north america from the 1500s through the 1800s.
Innis has long been regarded as one of canadas foremost historians, and in the fur trade in canada he presents. The fur trade was equitable in the far west by jerome feltier exlib hc 1991 see more like this the russian fur trade 15501700 by raymond h. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The edmonton and district historical society has published a student resource, the fur trade in the west, to commemorate canadas 150 th birthday in 2017. The fur trade gamble this is a book about the fur trade and how it began in the pacific northwest, it holds a very detailed account of this and is interesting when you think of how it was back then with no amenities and how cold and wet the winters were, not to mention the disease. Readers guide to the mountain men of the american west. It provided wealth but simultaneously pushed the boundaries of the borderlands farther west and north. Prairie du chien, wisconsin fur trading mecca rocky mountain rendezvous. For better and for worse, from the sixteenth to the early twentieth centuries, the fur trade caused changes in native american societies.
The american fur trade of the far west book, 1935 worldcat. Jul 23, 20 the fur trade was a vast commercial enterprise across the wild, forested expanse of what is now canada. Saint paul, mn minnesota historical society press, 1981. Now, almost seventy years later, harold inniss fundamental reinterpretation of canadian history continues to exert a magnetic influence. Their roles as trappers, hunters, and middlemen in the lands southwest of hudson bay, 16601870 heritage only 1 left in stock more on the way. Voyageurs travelers in french were men hired to work for the fur trade companies to transport trade goods throughout the vast territory to rendezvous posts. But that doesnt mean it has been an unchanging, uniform commercial relationship. Dec 09, 2019 a collection of reprinted lists north west company employees. The fur trade had a tremendous effect on dakota and ojibwe cultural practices and influenced usnative economic and political relations in the 19th century, including treaty negotiations. The native americans often gave the settlers animal furs in exchange for weapons, metal goods, and other supplies. The legendary mountain menthe fur traders and trappers who penetrated the rocky mountains and explored the far west in the first half on the nineteenth centuryformed the vanguard of the american empire and became the heroes of american adventure. The fur trade in colorado documents its origins with the french and spanish in north america and sketches its trajectory to the end of the era. Dodds, arizona and the west hiram martin chittenden was a leading historian of the american west.
The fur trade in the west, book by phyllis arnold paperback. A history of the pioneer trading posts and early fur companies of the missouri valley and the rocky mountains and the. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. Janet lecomptes books include rebellion in rio arriba, 1837. The american fur trade of the far west, volume 1 hiran martin chittenden, stallo vinton, james p. A wisconsin furtraders journal, 180405 library of congress. It should have described the hunters equipment better. This book contains information on the people, their trading, first nations, and. It also contains information on who died, how they died, documents written, travel logs, timelines, etc. The fur trade in the west makes western canadas rich and fascinating history come alive. Student activity book for fur trade cards 9 fur trade information packages ft1. The settlers then sold many of the furs back to europe. The american fur trade of the far west book by hiram. Description in stressing the exploitation and destruction of the physical and human environment rather than the usual frontier romanticism, david wishart has provided for students of the transmississippi fur trade a valuable service.
French fur traders and voyageurs in the american west by. The colonial fur trade, and later the mountain man fur trade, had a pronounced effect on native american indians. The epic history of the fur trade in america reprint by eric jay dolin isbn. The fur trade in the western arctic yale university. When europeans first settled in north america, they traded with native americans. Selections from hafens the mountain men and the fur trade of the far west are published in these books.
A graduate of west point, he was the seattle district engineer for the army corps of engineers april 1906 september 1908, for whom the hiram m. Wishart 1992 paperback see more like this 2 d s p o 6 n n j s z o r 3 x d e 1 4 d the american fur trade of the far west. The fur trade in north america was an important part of the continents economic and social evolution. List of books and articles about fur trade and trappers. To order any of these books please use your mouse button to click on the check box next to each book title. The museum of the fur trade museum shop is the largest bookstore in the region, offering nearly 1,000 titles, including a wide selection of fur trade history, native culture and art, cooking, gardening, and exploration. Trade in animal skins and pelts had gone on since antiquity, but reached its height in the wilderness of north america from the 17th to the early 19th cent. To help us understand the impact, the fur trade has been broken into 5 phases. Hudsons bay company, the north west company, and the american fur company.