Deerskin trade facts for kids

The deerskin trade was a very important way that early European colonists and Native Americans traded goods, especially in the southeastern part of what is now the United States. It was similar to the fur trade, but it focused on deer skins instead of furs from animals like beavers. Even though beaver furs were often more valuable, deerskins were still a big deal. They were a key raw material sent from Colonial America to markets in Europe. For example, the Cherokee people mainly traded their deerskins with the English. The Shawnee traded deerskins with both French and English colonies before 1760.

What Was the Deerskin Trade?

The deerskin trade was a huge business where Native Americans hunted deer and prepared their skins. They then exchanged these skins with European colonists for things like tools, weapons, cloth, and other goods. This trade was a major part of the economy and shaped relationships between different groups.

Why Did Deerskin Become Popular?

In the early 1700s, after a war called King William's War, the trade for beaver furs started to slow down a lot. At the same time, the deerskin trade really took off! This change happened for a few reasons.

New Fashions in Europe

One big reason for the deerskin boom was a change in fashion in London, England. People there started to love a new kind of hat made from leather. This new style needed deerskin, which made it a very popular item to import from the colonies. As a result, the demand for deerskins grew rapidly.

South Carolina's Role

The colony of South Carolina became a major player in this trade. They greatly increased how many deerskins they sent to Europe. As deerskin became more popular, the trade for other types of animal furs dropped sharply. This shift from many different furs to mostly deerskin changed how Europeans and Native Americans interacted. Sometimes, it even led to more arguments and conflicts. For example, it was a big reason for the Yamasee War, a major conflict in the early 1700s.

How Did the Trade Affect Native Americans?

The massive scale of the deerskin trade had a huge impact on both the environment and the Native American societies involved.

Deer Becoming Scarce

By the mid-1700s, around 1750, it became much harder to find deer in areas where the Cherokee lived. The trade was so huge that deer became almost extinct in the southeastern parts of North America. This meant hunters had to travel much farther to find deer, making the hunt more difficult and dangerous.

Changes in Cherokee Life

The deerskin trade also changed the way Cherokee society worked. Men spent much longer periods away from their towns to hunt deer. This meant they were absent from their families and communities for extended times. At the same time, the Cherokee people became more and more reliant on the goods they received from European trade. These changes led to more tension and conflict, not only between different Native American tribes but also with the European colonists.

What Was Deerskin Used For?

Deerskin was a very versatile material. It was used to make buckskin, which is a soft, strong leather. It was also used to create a chamois-like leather, which is very soft and absorbent. This type of leather was popular for making gloves, for binding books, and for many other useful items.