American fur trade

The American fur trade was a vital economic activity from the 1600s to the mid-1800s, involving the trading of animal pelts, mainly beaver, between Indigenous peoples, European settlers, and traders. It expanded westward, driven by the high demand for fur in Europe and North America. Traders established trading posts and alliances with Indigenous communities, facilitating access to vast wilderness areas. The trade significantly impacted regional ecosystems, Indigenous societies, and territorial exploration, eventually declining as fashion shifted away from fur and alternative materials emerged. It played a crucial role in shaping early North American exploration, commerce, and cultural interactions.