The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650 - 1815

The Middle Ground focuses on the pays d’en haut, a critical geographical area in the fur trade and colonial competition of North America from 1650 to 1815. Meaning “upper country” in French, this region was a territory of France’s empire in North America, covering the regions west of Montreal. The pays d’en haut was established in 1610 as a dependency of Canada. In 1763, both Canada and the pays d’en haut were ceded to the British in the Treaty of Paris and became the Province of Quebec.

Throughout the 17th century, the area became a crucial theater for interactions between Indigenous peoples, French settlers, and later, British and American colonists. In the mid-17th century, the French established a presence in the pays d'en haut for the fur trade, which was lucrative due to the high demand in Europe for beaver pelts used in the production of hats. French traders, missionaries, and explorers ventured into this territory, engaging with various Algonquian-speaking nations. Cities like Quebec and Montreal served as hubs for the fur network. Frenchmen such as Nicolas Perrot played essential roles in navigating trade and diplomatic relationships with Indigenous residents. During this period, the French sought to create alliances with the