The French Fur Trade
The French Fur Trade was one of the most efficient industries in North America. It played a very important role in the development of Canada for 300 years. One of the first fur trades started with the French explorers and fisherman coming to what is now Eastern Canada. They arrived in the early 1500's. The fur trade initially started when the French came to land and gave the First Nation's kettles, knives, and other gifts to establish peace. In return, they gave the French pelts. This had started the fur trade. By the late 1500's the fur trade had spread all over Europe. In 1607, the french explorer, Samuel de Champlain created a trading post in what is now Quebec. Slowly, the French expanded their fur trading business all along St. Lawrence River and around the Great Lakes. Eventually, the French had dominated most of the fur trade in what became Canada.