1. What was the Hudson Bay Company? When was it created?
The iconic, Hudson’s Bay Company was a North American operation, created from the demand for the popular 17th century, beaver fur felt hats. King Charles II financially backed French traders, Medard Chouart des Groseilliers and Pierre-Esprit Radisson’s idea, of creating a trading company in 1670 , around the Hudson Bay, which would give them easier access to the financially growing products of the new world.
The government gave them exclusive trading rights to the geographical area and the Hudson’s Bay Company’s establish trading posts with the Hudson Bay area, which would expand all across North America. Selling and bartering with the Native Americans, …show more content…
Once arriving in the Puget Sound, many found it disturbing that the main trading post, was British owned. America had just fought two wars with the United Kingdom (American Revolutionary War, 175-1783; War of 1812, 1812-1815), and unsettled feelings remained from the conflicts. Arriving to a frontier, with big dreams and ambitions, did not include trading with the British.
Americans were arriving with bare necessities, most with little money, only to find inflated pricing from the British posts. Settlers would feel oppressed and abused through Great Britain’s financial control. These perceptions would cause tension between the settlers and traders, something the Hudson’s Bay Company reluctantly had to deal with.
After the United States and Great Britain finalized boundaries between the two countries, Hudson’s Bay Company found themselves in a dilemma. The H.B.C. now had locations, within the United States. Provisions were made between the two countries, to protect the British company. However, with the introduction of the railroad, and ample supplies moving in and out the Puget Sound, the Hudson’s Bay Company no longer could compete. American entrepreneurs would grow new communities and provide American products for it’s …show more content…
Native Americans were brilliant trappers and knew the terrain. Hudson’s Bay Company thought they were victorious, as they were trading expensive Beaver pelts, for common merchandise. It was a perfect arrangement, with both parties satisfied.
The two groups commonly interacted well together. Many would intermarry, creating an alliance with the Hudson’s Bay Company. From the Native American point of view, they created an “inner” family connection between the tribe and the trading post. This interlinked marriage would diminish animosity between the two cultures, and create positive ties for future trade deals.
The Hudson’s Bay Company saw benefits as well. Intermarried families would stay loyal to trade practices, if family members worked for Hudson’s Bay Co. The trade-oriented culture, would create a common ground for both societies. After years of connected activities and transactions, economically, they became dependent on one another. This was essential, to keep customer loyalty and repeat