First Contacts
Which group of Europeans first visited North America around the year 1000?
Vikings
What system did First Nations use for trade before European arrival?
Barter system
What were the French fur traders called who ventured deep into the wilderness?
Coureurs de bois
What fashion item drove the high demand for beaver pelts in Europe?
Beaver felt hats
What lightweight and portable boat was vital for fur trade transportation?
Canoe
What is the term for thinking your own ethnic group is superior?
Ethnocentrism
What were two items First Nations received in trade for furs?
Metal tools and blankets
What role did First Nations women play in preparing furs for trade?
They skinned, treated, and softened the pelts
Name one positive impact of the fur trade on First Nations societies.
Access to new tools and technologies
What river system was critical to the French fur trade?
St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes
How did First Nations and Europeans initially exchange respect during trade?
Exchanging gifts and sharing the peace pipe
Why was gift-giving important in the fur trade?
To establish respect and trust
What company was granted control of the English fur trade in 1670?
Hudson’s Bay Company
What major disease devastated First Nations populations during the fur trade?
Smallpox
Why were northern animal furs preferred for trade?
Northern climates produced thicker, better-quality furs
What animal did First Nations compare Europeans to during their first encounters?
Fish, such as dog salmon and humpback salmon
What is the term for the exchange of goods without money?
Barter
What term refers to the Métis individuals who acted as interpreters during the fur trade?
Guides and negotiators
How did the fur trade contribute to language loss among First Nations?
Dominance of French and English
What advantage did the Hudson’s Bay Company have with its location?
Close to northern fur supplies and rivers flowing into Hudson Bay
What key resource did the First Nations share with Europeans to help them survive in North America?
Knowledge of food, medicine, and transportation
What was wampum, and why was it significant?
Strings of shells used to honor new friends and create harmony
Who were the voyageurs, and what was their primary role?
French paddlers who transported trade goods and furs
What was the greatest disaster for First Nations caused by European contact?
Epidemics like smallpox and measles
What explorer became the first European to cross North America by land during the fur trade?
Alexander Mackenzie