The fur trade was a huge part of the early economic development of North America. European traders and trappers explored the continent where they established relationships with local Native American communities in order to obtain the best pelts. Beaver was especially prized. For the majority of the fur trade era in North American history the primary fur market was overseas, in Europe. The fur trade ended as settlers took over the best trapping lands and eradicated wildlife which competed with livestock and humans for resources.

See also

• Hudson's Bay Company
• Mountain men
• Voyageurs
• Coureurs de bois

References

• Bernard DeVoto (1947) Across the Wide Missouri.

External links

• A Brief History of the Fur Trade