The beaver population was significantly affected by the actions of Indians. As a matter of fact, the experts argue regarding the possible reasons that caused depletion. The major purpose of the paper is to discover the economic factors of the beaver depletion in Canada in the eighteenth century.
The territory that is now called Canada was famous for the fur trade. Hudson’s Bay Company was created for the trade improvement. They made a network of the fur trade. The commerce influenced the attitude towards the animals as the animal population was seen not as the food but as a source of European production. It resulted in overharvesting the beavers. Some experts claim that there is a connection between the declines in the beaver population and the economic factor, the demand for the fur, and the financial difficulties of the Native Americans.
The competition between England and France resulted in a price decrease that consequently leads to the increased harvest and decline in the animal population. The fact that the Native Americans caused the beaver depletion was proved; however, the historians and experts give different reasons for it. Despite the fact that the beaver fur was not the only popular kind, it worth stating that the beaver fur made 80% of the market. The most influential trade areas were the following, namely Fort Albany, York Factory, and Fort Churchill.
It should be highlighted that the price and the population of the beaver are somewhat connected. In the Fort Albany, the price did not change from the period of 1717 to 1730. During that time, the animal population was stable, and the studies suggest that it was rising at some point. However, as the price increased by almost 40 cents in 1750, the beaver population decreased by 50%. According to the studies, the York Factory experienced the same case as Fort Albany. The beaver population diminished in half in twenty years. The reason was the same as in the previously discussed area. The price for the fur increased by 52 cents and it consequently led to the depletion of the animals.
Although the beaver fur was needed for the Hudson’s Bay Company to accomplish success, it should be stressed that they took actions to prevent overexploitation and depletion. The chief trader burnt almost 200 coats in front of the Indians. His major aim was to eliminate the overexploitation of the beaver population. The stiff competition with French, however, influenced the decline in the stock as well. The central objective of the company was to receive the dominant position on the market and control the trade. When the competitors were not influential enough to compete, the Hudson’s Bay Company could burnt coat. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the periods with the tense competition, the company encouraged Indians to kill more beavers.
In conclusion, it should be stressed that the fact that the beaver population suffered from depletion because of the impact of the Native Americans cannot be argued. The price increase on the beaver fur consequently led to the overexploitation of the animals. The sources should be strictly controlled to eliminate degradation. When the Hudson’s Bay Company was monopolist on the market, they took into consideration possible risks of overexploitation. However, when the French appeared on the market, the situation changed. The major strategy of the company shifted to the different dimensions and they increased prices on fur for Indians that consequently led to depletion. The Native Americans and the Hudson’s Bay Company became the victims of the market forces.