The profitable market for beaver pelts in the early 1800s was centered in which two main areas?

California and the Oregon Territory

The eastern United States and Europe

Mexico and the Caribbean islands

Canada and the Russian territories in Alaska

What was the primary economic motivation for the mountain men to explore the western wilderness in the early 1800s?

To discover gold and other precious metals for the U.S. Treasury.

To establish new farming settlements in fertile river valleys.

To participate in the highly profitable fur trade by trapping beavers.

To serve as scouts and guides for official U.S. Army expeditions.

The establishment of the first permanent American cities in the Rocky Mountains.

The creation of detailed maps and trails that were later used by pioneers to settle the West.

The complete depletion of the beaver population, which ended the fur trade by 1840.

The negotiation of lasting peace treaties with all Native American tribes in the region.