Exploration
the Fur Trade and Hudson's Bay Company
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HBC and the Fur Trade Quiz/Activity - Solutions

Part 1: Multiple Choice
The correct answer is in bold.

1. The Aboriginal people arrived in North America by
a) travelling from South America.
b) taking a plane from Asia 500 000 years ago.
c) crossing a land bridge between Asia and Alaska in the last ice age.

2. European explorers arriving at North America in the 1500s hoped to find a short route to
a) Australia.
b) China.
c) Africa.

3. Jacques Cartier sailed to North America hoping to find
a) gold and diamonds.
b) the North West Passage.
c) more supplies of fur.

4. The first European settlers in North America could not have survived without the help of Aboriginal peoples.
a) True
b) False

5. The first settlers in North America got this disease from not eating enough fruits and vegetables in winter:
a) scurvy.
b) measles.
c) the flu.

6. European diseases like smallpox had no effect on the Aboriginal Peoples who met them.
a) True
b) False

7. The coureurs de bois learned how to live in the woods
a) from the Aboriginal people.
b) from the settlers in Quebec.
c) by going to Scout camp.

8. For 90 years, the Iroquois were the enemy of
a) the British.
b) the Dutch.
c) the French.

9. The "Filles du roi" traveled to Quebec from France to
a) work in the colony.
b) have a honeymoon.
c) become the settlers' wives.

10. The two explorers most responsible for the start of Hudson's Bay Company were:
a) Champlain and Cartier.
b) Mills and Boon.
c) Radisson and Groseilliers.

11. Hudson's Bay Company received a royal charter from
a) King Charles II.
b) Prince Rupert.
c) the prime minister of Canada.

12. Beaver was fur was very popular because it was used to make
a) hats.
b) beaver tails.
c) point blankets.

13. During the war between France and England, raiding parties with soldiers and warships were sent out in North America to
a) find new sources of fur.
b) capture the other country's trading posts.
c) discover the enemy's hiding places.

14. The wars between England and France
a) was good for the fur trade business.
b) caused Hudson's Bay Company to lose money.
c) increased profit for Hudson's Bay Company.

15. During the fur trade goods were paid for using
a) loonies and twonies.
b) gold and silver.
c) beaver pelts.

16. Fur traders traveled long distances using
a) horse and buggy.
b) canoe and toboggan.
c) train and motorcycle.

17. On long journeys, Aboriginal peoples acted as
a) guides and translators.
b) hunters and traders.
c) all of the above.

18. The fur trade did not change the old ways of life of the Aboriginal peoples.
a) True
b) False

19. Once people knew that there was no short route to China through North America, they kept exploring inland to
a) find more sources of fur.
b) try to find and easy route to the Pacific Ocean.
c) both of the above.

20. In the late 1700's, the main competition of Hudson's Bay Company was
a) Sears.
b) the Dutch East India Company.
c) The North West Company.

21. The Red River Settlement was the result of Lord Selkirk's plan to
a) help farmers from Scotland.
b) take control of Hudson's Bay Company.
c) kick the Nor'westers off his land.

22. The massacre at Seven Oaks was caused by
a) anger over the fact that the oak trees were being cut down.
b) anger because settlers were not given a say in electing the government.
c) anger that settlers would disrupt the fur trade.

23. The Métis people are descendants of
a) English and French settlers in Manitoba.
b) Cree and Inuit peoples.
c) French fur traders and Aboriginal peoples.

24. After Canada became a country Hudson's Bay Company
a) shut down its business.
b) moved to the United States.
c) expanded into other areas of business.

25. Today, Hudson's Bay Company
a) still has fur trading as its main line of business.
b) still has its headquarters in London, England.
c) is best known as a chain store called "The Bay," and continues to change.

Part 2: Short Answer

26. How did the fur trade change the lives of Aboriginal peoples? Use examples.

  • Responses should receive 3 points if they are well-articulated and address at least 3 relevant points such as: disease, traditional ways of hunting and collecting food, independence, traditional laws and alliances, etc.
  • Responses should receive 2 points for two relevant points.
  • Responses should receive 1 point for one relevant point.
  • Responses should receive no points for general statements such as "It made their life worse."

27. How did Aboriginal peoples help early settlers and fur traders in Canada? Use examples.

  • Responses should receive 3 points if they are well articulated and address at least 3 relevant points such as: helped cure disease, showed them how to survive, etc.
  • Responses should receive 2 points for two relevant points.
  • Responses should receive 1 point for one relevant point.
  • Responses should receive no points for general statements such as "They gave them things."

28. Give two reasons why Europeans wanted to explore North America.

  • One point for variations of responses such as:
    - To find a way to reach China easily
    - To find the Northwest Passage
    - To find areas with more furs
    - To reach the Pacific Ocean
    - To settle more lands
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