The Northwest Company
Key Points
- Formed in 1783 by independant fur traders from quebec.
- Main competitor to the Hudsons Bay Company.
- Traders "wintered" with the natives, while exchanging furs
- Had the most experienced overland explorers
- Began major rivalry with Hudson's Bay Company
- Main competitor to the Hudsons Bay Company.
- Traders "wintered" with the natives, while exchanging furs
- Had the most experienced overland explorers
- Began major rivalry with Hudson's Bay Company
Summary
The Northwest company was one of the two major fur trading companies in Canada in the 1600's. It consisted of independant fur traders from Quebec. The Northwest Company was the main competetor to the Hudson's Bay Company, however their methods of trading differed. The french traders would winter with the Natives, meaning they would spend the cold winters living with the natives and learning their style of life in exchange for furs. The Northwest Company extended over most of Canada, except for Rupert's Land which belonged to HBC.