PARTNERING WITH FIRST NATIONS WHY WAS THE For more than 200 years, the French and First Nations developed relationships that were useful to both groups. Realizing that First Nations FIGURE 2.10 Chief Luther Standing had a much larger population, the French decided they could benefit Bear explains principles that guide FUR TRADE many First Nations peoples in their from developing good business relationships with First Nations peoples. everyday life. Analyze: How does For example, they took part in gift-giving ceremonies during negotiations the quotation help to explain why to demonstrate their respect. In Figure 2.10, Chief Luther Standing Bear First Nations peoples regarded SIGNIFICANT? gift giving as an important part identifies principles that many First Nations of negotiations? peoples live by. If the French were also able to demonstrate these principles, how “Out of the Indian approach to life there might it have helped them build their Can an industry be historically significant? Consider four of Canada’s came a great freedom, an intense and absorbing relationships with First Nations and their fur current industries: forestry, mining, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Each of respect for life … and principles of truth, honesty, How can trading business? these has a positive impact. For example, people can earn an income that generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to understanding the fur The French depended on First Nations enables them to live more comfortably and the economy can prosper. Each trade in the 1700s help mundane relations.” us deal with economic to supply the furs that they sold in Europe. of these industries also has a negative impact. For example, an industry can — Chief Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux First Nation harm the environment, destroying animal habitats and ecosystems. issues today? First Nations depended on Europeans to To determine historical significance, we look for evidence that the supply European-made goods. Many of these industry had a long-lasting impact on the lives of many people. Just as our goods were tools, such as rifles, metal traps, current industries affect our lives today, the fur trade affected many people’s sewing needles, and cooking pots. lives 300 years ago. After 1713, expansion of the fur trade led to changes How does the artist who painted the scene in Figure 2.11 depict a fur throughout North America. trading session between the French and First Nations representatives? The friendly relationships developed through the fur trade also helped MOTIVATIONS IN THE FUR TRADE the French in times of war. Their First Nations trading partners became their military allies. As well, Catholic missionaries tried hard to convince military allies two or more In the early 1700s, both Britain and France were extending their power in First Nations peoples to embrace Catholicism. When they were successful, parties that agree to support one another in case of war Europe by developing colonies in North America. This strategy of taking the French–First Nations relationships were further strengthened. over as many countries as possible was known as imperialism. The British imperialism the policy of colonies grew steadily along the eastern coast of North America. The settlers extending a country’s power and influence by creating were mostly farmers, and the colonies supported themselves. New France colonies or conquering did not grow as fast as the British colonies. The Canadiens needed more other countries ways to sustain themselves, so they entered the fur trade. The French government helped to sponsor expeditions to find more First Nations fur trading partners because the fur trade was a large source of income for New France. Without a thriving colony, France’s imperialist goal of ruling North America would fail. Gaining wealth was a motivation for fur traders and explorers. French explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et “The colony will receive a de La Vérendrye prospered from the fur trade during his new benefit independently expeditions in North America. Though the King of France of the discovery of the Western did not profit much from the fur trade itself, he financed Sea through the quantity of furs La Vérendrye’s explorations. Examine Figure 2.9, an that will be produced.” excerpt from a letter La Vérendrye wrote to the governor of — Pierre Gaultier de Varennes New France. In it, he mentions that he is close to finding the et de La Vérendrye, French explorer Western Sea, known today as the Pacific Ocean. Why would finding a route to the Pacific Ocean benefit the King? FIGURE 2.9 This excerpt is from a letter that La Vérendrye wrote to the governor of New France, Charles de Beauharnois de La Boische, in 1730. Analyze: FIGURE 2.11 This 1916 painting by Ontario artist George Reid is called Traders at Montreal. Which two benefits does La Vérendrye identify? Analyze: How does the artist portray the relationship between the French and First Nations? 54 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 2: Rising Tensions in North America: 1713–1755 55 READING TEXT SOURCES Historians are like detectives: they look at sources for evidence that can help them answer questions about the past and create an argument or “For the future we will sell no Lands [to you, unless] we a narrative. know beforehand the Quantity of Goods we are to receive. Besides, Historians often look at text sources for evidence. Text sources are we are not well used with respect to the Lands still unsold by us. Your written records that can be descriptions of events. They can also be People daily settle on these Lands, and spoil our Hunting.—We must transcriptions of speeches, remarks, or conversations. Text sources can be insist on your Removing them, as you know they have no Right to found as primary sources or secondary sources. settle to the Northward of Kittochtinny-Hills. In particular, we renew To begin a historical investigation, historians first read secondary our Complaints against some People who are settled at Juniata, a FIGURE 2.13 Chief Canasatego sources to gain background knowledge of the event or time period they Branch of Sasquahannah, and all along the Banks of that River, as far from the Onondaga First Nation have a question about. Next, they select primary sources that they think as Mahaniay; and desire they may be forthwith made to go off the acted as a spokesperson for may be helpful. Then, historians do a close reading of each source. They the Onondaga Iroquois First Land; for they do great Damage to our Cousins the Delawares.... your examine the source carefully, asking questions about the source and Nation. He spoke these words to Horses and Cows have eat the Grass our Deer used to feed on. This the British during negotiations making observations about any patterns or trends. Figure 2.12 below lists has made them scarce ... we are really poor ...” concerning Onondaga land in some of the questions that historians ask themselves when they are closely 1742. His words were recorded reading a text source. — Chief Canasatego, Onondaga Iroquois First Nation by a Pennsylvanian colonist in the minutes of the meeting. Question Category Sample Questions Source • What type of document is it (a letter, diary, report, etc.)? • When and where was it created? Who wrote it? Who for? HOW TO CLOSELY READ A TEXT SOURCE What for? • Is the author describing his or her own experiences, or those Consider Figure 2.13. Write down everything you STEP 1 of others? know about the creation of the source. • Was the information recorded when the events occurred, • What type of source is it? Read the text carefully to understand what it says. or later? • When and where was it created? • What is Chief Canasatego’s main argument? Content • What claims does the author make? • Is the author recording his or her own words or • Why is British settlement spoiling the • What evidence does the author give to support Chief Canasatego’s words? Onondaga’s hunting? these claims? • Was the speech recorded during the meeting STEP 2 • Locate the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers on • What is the author’s perspective on the topic? How can I tell? or later? • What information or perspective does the author leave out? a map. • Who were the Delaware people? Why would Writing style • What words or phrases does the author use to persuade Chief Canasatego refer to them as “cousins”? the reader? Read the text again. How is Chief Canasatego’s • What else does the writer’s choice of words or details message communicated? tell me? • What words does he use to show his • What feelings does the writer express, or hope to inspire in people’s displeasure? STEP 3 the reader? • What words does he use to try to inspire FIGURE 2.12 When doing a close sympathy in his listeners? Audience response • What effect did this text likely have on its readers? reading of a text, it is important to ask questions about the • What impact do you think this speech may have • How might a different audience have responded to it? What inferences can you make? For example, source and its content. had on the British audience? Why? what can you infer from the first sentence about STEP 4 the quantity of goods given by the British to the Onondaga in exchange for their land? In this activity, you will do a close reading of the text in Figure 2.13 to look for evidence that can help you answer the following inquiry question: What does this text suggest are some possible What caused tensions in North America to rise from 1713 to 1755? reasons why tensions in North America rose during STEP 5 this period? 56 UNIT 1: New France and British North America: 1713–1800 NEL NEL CHAPTER 2: Rising Tensions in North America: 1713–1755 57 EXPANSION OF THE British and French Trading Posts, 1741 THANADELTHUR: AMBASSADOR OF PEACE FUR TRADE The fur trade depended heavily on First Nations women.