The Impact of ContactThe Impact of Contact

Pg 36-39Pg 36-39

What is Contact?What is Contact?

ContactContact is the term historians use to refer to the is the term historians use to refer to the time when Europeans first came to North time when Europeans first came to North America.America.

The arrival of newcomers brought many The arrival of newcomers brought many challenges to way of life for the First Nations challenges to way of life for the First Nations and Inuit.and Inuit.

Early Contact in the MaritimesEarly Contact in the Maritimes

First Nations/Europeans were curious of each otherFirst Nations/Europeans were curious of each other Newcomers struggled to survive in this new land and Newcomers struggled to survive in this new land and

badly need the help the First Nations offered.badly need the help the First Nations offered. They both realized there were good economic They both realized there were good economic

opportunities. opportunities. First Nations had furs and other helpful itemsFirst Nations had furs and other helpful items Newcomers had metal knives, pots, and tools.Newcomers had metal knives, pots, and tools. LET’S TRADE!!!!!LET’S TRADE!!!!! This was the beginning of the fur trade.This was the beginning of the fur trade.

Maritime First Nations at the Time Maritime First Nations at the Time of Contactof Contact

Mi’kmaq Mi’kmaq (Nova Scotia, PEI, and Eastern NB)(Nova Scotia, PEI, and Eastern NB)

Maliseet Maliseet (Western New Brunswick and NE Maine)(Western New Brunswick and NE Maine)

Passamaquoddy Passamaquoddy (SE Maine and SW New Brunswick) (SE Maine and SW New Brunswick)

TreatiesTreaties

Conflicts between Europeans and First NationsConflicts between Europeans and First Nations Conflicts between French and EnglishConflicts between French and English Great Britain had the most power of the European Great Britain had the most power of the European

countries.countries. Treaties - an agreement or arrangement made by Treaties - an agreement or arrangement made by

negotiation (put this in your glossary)negotiation (put this in your glossary) First Nations and British agreed that treaties would First Nations and British agreed that treaties would

help them get along in the future.help them get along in the future. British would have First Nations on their side against British would have First Nations on their side against

the French if needed.the French if needed.

Covenant Chain of TreatiesCovenant Chain of Treaties

Between 1717 and 1779, multiple treaties between Between 1717 and 1779, multiple treaties between the British and First Nationsthe British and First Nations

Sometimes called Sometimes called Treaties of Peace and FriendshipTreaties of Peace and Friendship Each treaty was different but the general theme was Each treaty was different but the general theme was

for First Nations to act peacefully toward the British. for First Nations to act peacefully toward the British. The British were to respect First Nations’ rights.The British were to respect First Nations’ rights.

First Nations did not agree to give up their land or First Nations did not agree to give up their land or resources (remember their idea of sharing the land)resources (remember their idea of sharing the land)

Some of these treaties were broken but many are still Some of these treaties were broken but many are still in place. in place.

The Effects of the Fur TradeThe Effects of the Fur Trade

First Nations’ economies changedFirst Nations’ economies changed Became dependent on the fur tradeBecame dependent on the fur trade Spent time hunting year round for furs rather Spent time hunting year round for furs rather

than seasonal for their own needsthan seasonal for their own needs Became dependent on European goodsBecame dependent on European goods Cycle: Hunting for furs to trade for goods and Cycle: Hunting for furs to trade for goods and

they had to trade for goods because they spent they had to trade for goods because they spent so much time hunting.so much time hunting.

The ResultThe Result

Eventually the fur supply would run out.Eventually the fur supply would run out. British would go elsewhere for furs (west)British would go elsewhere for furs (west) First Nations had become dependent on First Nations had become dependent on

European goods but had little to trade with European goods but had little to trade with now.now.

Couldn’t go back to original way of life Couldn’t go back to original way of life because European settlement was taking away because European settlement was taking away that option (settlement, land ownership, etc.)that option (settlement, land ownership, etc.)

The Effects of European SettlementThe Effects of European Settlement

# of Europeans increasing# of Europeans increasing Not a problem at firstNot a problem at first European idea of land ownership cause problemsEuropean idea of land ownership cause problems Forests cut down, land cleared for farming, fences Forests cut down, land cleared for farming, fences

and boundaries established. European settlers were and boundaries established. European settlers were unwilling to share the land. unwilling to share the land.

This was not expected when they agreed to treaties.This was not expected when they agreed to treaties. Europeans also believed their ways were better and Europeans also believed their ways were better and

that First Nations should adopt their ways.that First Nations should adopt their ways.

The BeothukThe Beothuk First Nations people of NewfoundlandFirst Nations people of Newfoundland Est. 500-700 people at time of contactEst. 500-700 people at time of contact Seasonal hunting and gatheringSeasonal hunting and gathering

Europeans who came to this area were mainly interested in Europeans who came to this area were mainly interested in fishing. (Migratory)fishing. (Migratory)

Very little trading opportunityVery little trading opportunity British settlements eventually came to Nfld.British settlements eventually came to Nfld. Encroached into area where Beothuk lived.Encroached into area where Beothuk lived. After many years of conflict, the Beothuk struggled to survive After many years of conflict, the Beothuk struggled to survive

and died out and the group became extinct. (c.1829)and died out and the group became extinct. (c.1829)