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Soft Gold: The Fur Trade & Cultural Exchange on the Northwest Coast of America

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A study of the fur trade that began in the 18th century, when explorers and traders exchanged beads, iron, cloth, and trinkets for pelts or soft gold.

297 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1971

9 people want to read

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Thomas Vaughan

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
18 reviews1 follower
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August 5, 2024
Soft Gold: The Fur Trade & Cultural Exchange on the Northwest Coast of America" by Thomas Vaughan is another significant source that can be very helpful for your research. Here’s how it can contribute:

Regional Focus: This book specifically focuses on the Northwest Coast of America, providing detailed accounts of fur trade activities in that region. While your research might have a broader geographical scope, understanding the regional dynamics can provide insights into similar practices across Canada.

Exploitative Practices: Vaughan’s work delves into the various strategies used by European traders to maximize their profits, including manipulative tactics similar to those you are studying. This can provide concrete examples and case studies for your research.

Cultural Exchange: The book discusses the cultural exchanges that occurred between European traders and Indigenous peoples, highlighting how trade impacted Indigenous societies, including the introduction of European goods and alcohol.

Indigenous Perspectives: Vaughan includes perspectives of Indigenous communities, offering a more comprehensive view of how they were affected by the fur trade. This aligns well with your focus on the consequences and legacy of exploitative behaviors.

Alcohol Use: The book addresses the role of alcohol in trade interactions, detailing how it was used by traders to manipulate Indigenous populations. This is directly relevant to your examination of how alcohol was introduced and its effects.
194 reviews
December 4, 2014
This book was made up for an exhibition for the Oregon Historical Museum. The book covers the fur trade on the Northwest coast. The things on display came from the state collections and some from Harvard. The photos are very good of the artifacts. The most of them are from the natives peoples. The descriptions of the artifacts and their use is very informative. There are also maps and art from the time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews