Near the middle of the 16th century furs from the new world became, because of their abundance and quality, the prime reason for trans-Atlantic journeys. From the 1620s on, European demand for furs was insatiable, with beaver pelts being particularly sought after. It was thanks to the knowledge of the indigenous people and understanding of the fur-bearing animals that the coureurs de bois were able to build a commercial venture of world-wide importance – the development of which forms a dominant theme in early Canadian history. The fur trade was the object of so much competition and rivalry that it led to a monopoly system that provided the financial base for subsequent exploration and settlement.
Based on DCB biographies and themes