After the merger of the Northwest Company and the Hudson's Bay Company, what was the fur trading company called?

• A. The Northwest Company
• B. The Hudson's Bay Company
• C. Hudson's Bay and Northwest Trading
• D. The Canadian Fur Company

Answer: (B)

When two major fur-trading rivals merge, the resulting company often keeps the stronger, more established brand. In 1821, the Northwest Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company joined forces, and the merged enterprise continued under the Hudson’s Bay Company name. The Hudson’s Bay Company had the longer history and wider recognition, so using its name helped legitimize and unify the vast network of trading posts that now fell under a single umbrella. The Northwest Company’s assets were absorbed, and its identity was retired in favor of the well-known HBC brand. That’s why the correct answer is Hudson’s Bay Company.