The Fur Trade In Russia During The 17th-19th Century

Why do societies continue to live in a world where animal as well as civilian displacement is widely accepted and encouraged? Unfortunately, this situation continues due to the economic benefits provided by stripping away human and animal rights. This type of environment was present in Russia during the 17th to 19th century, the time of the Russian Fur trade. The Russian Fur trade, also known as the Continental Fur trade, was an exchange of expensive Russian fur goods and European gold. During the time of the trade, Russians were involved in the conquering and disrespectful treatment of Siberia. Although the benefits of the Fur trade powered Russian society, the actions of greedy suppliers led to far too harmful treatment on the surrounding
The most specific form of Russia taking advantage of the Siberians was when specific items of tribute, including fur, was made a requirement. These goods demanded by Russians demonstrated how they used conquered peoples to increase their own wealth. Russians were having the natives do the difficult work as ritual submissions of fur for the Tsar were required under his "order" (Richards 61-62). These submissions were benefitting Russia’s society and hurting the economy of Siberia as collecting furs became a priority for natives. Not only were the Russians requiring ritual submissions from Siberians under the Tsar, but an additional tax in furs, called the Iasak, was implemented into their system (Richards 64). In addition, many Russians who were benefitting from the trade now saw furs as their main source of income. For example, because of Moscow's little to no resource of metals to mine, the fur trade allowed valuable assets to play a role in its cash-starved state. Moscow relied on furs to sustain its treasury and for the Tsar to reward exceptional work (Richards 68). Similarly, since Russia was known for their great process of furs, it soon became the way the Nascent Russian state received pay (Richards 55). Furs collected by Siberians were used in trade with Europeans, allowing them to receive many goods. Demand for furs further grew as the Europeans agreed to a maritime trade link. The benefits of this exchange in goods for Russia were the exports from Europe including mostly silver and gold, furthering the success in the economy (Richards 56). Russians would not have been able to partake in this beneficial trade without displacing the people of Siberia as well as demanding furs from their society. Specter gave his insights on how furs were valued saying, “By the middle of the 17th century Europe had lost its mind