Fur trade

The fur trade was a historical economic activity where nations and traders exchanged goods, primarily animal pelts like beaver, for European manufactured products. Originating in North America and other regions, it involved trapping animals, processing their pelts, and trading them with European traders or indigenous peoples. The fur trade significantly influenced exploration, settlement, and relationships between indigenous communities and Europeans, shaping the geopolitical landscape of North America. It peaked between the 17th and 19th centuries, later declining as fashion and industry shifted away from fur.