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Paper #050596 :: Alexander Mackenzie: The Western Frontier and the Fur Trade
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Discusses Alexander Mackenzie?s discovery of the Western Frontier and the expansion of the fur trade and the relationship with native peoples.

Written in 2001; 2,800 words; 6 sources; MLA; $ 83.95

Paper Summary:

One of the key players in the establishment of fur trade routes linking the Atlantic ocean with the Pacific and Arctic oceans via a quite complex route through various lakes and rivers of the Canadian shield was Scottish explorer, Alexander Mackenzie. This paper explains how Mackenzie?s voyages to the Arctic ocean in 1789 and the Pacific coast in 1792-93 proved to be paramount for the continuation of Westward expansion, and perhaps even more pertinent for the expansion of the fur trade, the major economic means of pre-confederation Canada and a major contributor to Britain?s economy. By analysing Mackenzie?s own account of his journeys, as well as other supplementary sources, the paper defines exactly how crucial his two voyages were to all elements of the fur trade and just how extraordinary his journeys were in historical perspective. It explains that the establishment of trade routes to the North and Northwest, establishment of relations with the native tribes along the various waterways, and the discovery of a vast, relatively unexplored territory (unexplored by whites), with much in the way of wildlife and the potential for great wealth and economic prosperity, were all positive aspects in regard to Mackenzie?s voyages.

From the Paper:

"Alexander Mackenzie was once described, in his younger years, as a man who would take second place to no one whether it be as an explorer or as a fur trader.1 Mackenzie?s voyages of 1789 and 1792-93 are conveyed in his journal entries as ?strangely unspectacular,?2 quite odd considering the importance of his travels to the well being of the fur trade industry, the chief economic means of British North America at this point in history. In the years prior to his exploration of Northern and Northwestern Canada, Alexander Mackenzie served as an employer to the Northwest fur trading company. Mackenzie, who was young and ambitious at the time, declared his certainty that greater successes for the Northwest company lay in the far West and North of the Canadian territory.3 Mackenzie?s only problem lied in company kingpin Simon McTavish whom had a particular dislike for Mackenzie for one reason or another; fuelled by his dislike for Mackenzie, McTavish refused to support the young explorer in his wishes to explore the far North and West of Canada. After continuous unsuccessful harbouring with McTavish, Mackenzie defected from the Northwest company and found himself employed with rival company, the XY company, with whom Mackenzie expanded with in order to challenge the Northwest company.4 Eventually, after the death of Simon McTavish, the Northwest Company and the XY Company merged in 1787;5 Alexander Mackenzie was stationed at Lake Athabasca, the Company?s westernmost post, with fellow explorer and trader, Peter Pond. Both men were determined that great wealth lied in the lands to the North and to the West.6 This determination drove the men to curiosity as to where the Great Slave River running North from Lake Athabasca would lead to. Mackenzie and Pond were also determined to create a continuous trade route linking all three oceans which contained Canada: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific.7 Mackenzie?s first voyage would be to the Arctic, where he hoped to find a link to the ?frozen sea.? "

Tags: arctic athabasca canada coast exploration interior journey northwest ocean pacific passage west

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