Exploring Imperialism in the Fur Trade

  • Proposal

    R and G travelled to England, where they propsed the idea of HBC
  • The Nonsuch

    First ship to be sent to Hudson's Bay
  • Establishment

    known as the oldest commercial company in North America and one of the oldest companies globally. This canadian found company was established May 2, 1670. For much of the companies existence, HBC was a fur trading company and is now a retail store operated and owned by Canada.
  • Treaty of Utrecht

    English claim to the bay area was acknowledged by the French.
  • establishment and workers

    Samuel Hearne established HBC's second inland trading post in 1774. The post was located in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. In spring and summer, the majority of hunting and trapper was done by Metis and First Nations. They travelled by canoe and foot and for the exchange of their pelts, hunters and trappers typically recieved metal tools and hunting gear which often had been imported from German Warehouses
  • HBC expansion

    HBC was forced to expand the interior due to uprising competition with the NWC
  • Rupert's Land

    Hudson Bay's surrounding area is reffered to as Rupert's Land, named after the companies first director, Prince Rupert. In the 1800's, Rupert's Land would be Canada's largest purchase.
  • Merged with NWC

    Major competition between the HBC and the NWC, which led to shootings arose. The conflict ended in 1821 when Britain encouraged the companies to merge. A merger agreement was signed, meaning 40 years of the NWC was lost, as the companies merged under the name HBC.
  • Shift to Retail

    The main priorities of fur trading for the company switched to retail merchandising.
  • HBC currently

    Currently the longest lasting retail merchandise store in Canada and owns many other companies which include The bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and more.