The age of Westward Expansion was a time of discovery and of trade. One of the most important topics of this time was the fur trade. There were many conflicts between the Indians that settled there and the British and French fur traders in search of beavers to hunt and to make expensive pelts out of. It was also a time period in which the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark took place. However, in this case, I would like to concentrate mainly on the fur traders that the two explorers had some conflict between on their famous expedition. For now, here’s some background research on these fur traders and how it was like. Some of this information should be incorporated into your project.
The Mountain Men would usually hunt for beaver pelts in mid-fall from October to November and from late February into April. These fur traders would wade in the water to set the traps. This also ensured that the beaver wouldn’t detect the man’s scent lingering from near the trap. Once they were caught, the men would take their pelts, and go to the mountains to retire and regain their health. Most probably this is where they receive their name of ‘mountain men.’ Native Americans were the major source of beaver pelts and buffalo hides in the Canadian, Great Lakes and Upper Missouri River fur trade. These Native Americans would trade these pelts along with horses to Europeans merchants in exchange for some European goods such as: whiskey, guns, iron goods, trade beads, and beaver traps to trap the animals more efficiently. As a result of this, the beaver population decreased, and these animals were close to becoming scarce.
But that’s not all. Beaver back then, served as a status symbol for position and wealth from the 1600s to the mid-1800s. This may be because the fact that it was the British culture, but now this is not at all in style anymore. Many beaver pelts were auctioned off in England during this era known as the ‘Beaver Era. ’ This era however is generally thought to have ended in the year 1840, but as my sources stated: “Hudson’s Bay Company records show that three million beaver pelts were sold in London, England between 1853 and 1873…” (http://www.thefurtrapper.com/fur_trappers.htm) Lately, this is how much information I have researched and discovered regarding the Mountain Men and their works, and now I would like it if you try something to teach others about this topic yourself.
