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Essay On The Beaver Wars

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The Beaver wars which were also called the French and Iroquois wars were wars fought by the Iroquois confederacy against the French and the Indian tribes. This included the Huron and Algonquin. The Indian confederacy wanted to continue to trade with the Dutch, exchanging beaver pelts for guns, weapons, tools, and beads. Because the beaver fur had become so scarce, the Iroquois wanted to extend the territory. They utilized what they could with the land they had. With the gaining of the territory the Iroquois wanted to be in charge of the Fur Trade. This was the start of the Beaver Wars. Beaver hats were popular among the English and French. It was a status symbol representing wealth. It also served as a source of income. There were millions made between the 1600s and the 1700s. They were such a hot item that they were seen as the first great American trade. The reason for the Beaver Wars was that the Iroquois the French wanted control …show more content…

The desire to hunt and trade with the Europeans caused controversy with the French. Each wanted to gain control over the trade. The French stepped in and told other tribes to interfere whenever necessary. Of course the Iroquois fought the French back. The Five Nations attacked the Huron Indians and their French Jesuit teachers, causing the Huron Indians to relocate near Quebec. The French counter attacked and finally the Iroquois agreed to a peace treaty in 1669 lasting 16 years. When King Williams’s war broke out in 1689, the Five Nations once again moved on the French. This lasted for another 7 years. Finally, in 1700 the peace party presented once again negotiations between the Iroquois and the French and their allies. The Grand Settlement of 1701 included peace treaties between the French and 40 Nations of North America. The French and its allies, the Huron and Algonquians allowed for 16 years of peace. Also, included in this diplomatic event was the Iroquois

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