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The Merger of the HBC and the NWC. Changes at Red River Colony. By 1820 both HBC and NWC were suffering financially Fur resources were declining Profits were shrinking. Merger. In 1821, the companies joined together There were 100 shares in the company The HBC controlled 45 shares
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The Merger of the HBC and the NWC Changes at Red River Colony
By 1820 both HBC and NWC were suffering financially • Fur resources were declining • Profits were shrinking
Merger • In 1821, the companies joined together • There were 100 shares in the company • The HBC controlled 45 shares • The NWC controlled 55 shares • The Company was called the Hudson’s Bay Company
Benefits • Great Britain gave the new company control over Rupert’s Land • It extended the monopoly to west of the Rocky Mountains • The company controlled over half modern Canada
HBC Maintains Power • Even though the NWC had more shares in the company the HBC maintained control. • The old HBC trading routes were used because they were cheaper • By 1825, the NWC partners sold their shares back to the HBC
Native Peoples • The company reduced the number of its European employees after the merger • They relied on the Native people as: • Guides • Trappers • Translators • Map makers • Canoe builders
Native women worked at the post • Gardening • Tending Livestock • Chopping Wood
If pemmican was not available the HBC relied on the Native people to provide meat for the posts.
A New Boss: George Simpson
George Simpson became Governor of the Northwest Department • Dynamic and an experienced manager • Spent 40 years traveling across Rupert’s Land visiting trading posts
The Little Emperor • Autocratic leader • High standards • Arrived at the post without warning
Frances Simpson • 18 year old wife of George Simpson • Simpson was also married to a native woman in Red River • Simpson’s Red River Family was shipped away from the post before Frances arrived
Anti-social Simpson’s • Mrs. Simpson refused to socialize with the Metis wives at the post • The Simpson’s were isolated from the community • It was lonely and George Simpson started writing down all of the faults of his employees in his “character” book
The Simpsons left Red River in 1832 • They later settled in Montreal • George Simpson died in 1860.