Final answer:
The Voyageurs were Montreal-based traders who traveled by canoe and played a crucial role in the fur trade during the 18th and early 19th centuries in New France.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who were the Voyageurs?
The term 'Voyageurs' refers specifically to a group of Montreal-based traders who traveled by canoe for the fur trade during the 18th and early 19th centuries. These individuals were critical to the fur trade economy in New France, which later became Canada. The Voyageurs were known for their canoeing skills, strength, and ability to navigate the vast network of rivers and lakes in North America, carrying furs and goods over long distances.
Contrary to the other options provided in the question, the Voyageurs were not the immigrants to Canada in the 18th Century, nor were they explorers searching for the North-West Passage (that was a different group of explorers, such as Alexander Mackenzie), nor were they the geographers who first charted the coastline of British Columbia. Instead, the Voyageurs played a significant role in the trading system established by French and later British interests, often working tirelessly to sustain the economic endeavors of the fur trade companies.
As a result, the correct answer to the question 'Who were the Voyageurs?' is A. Montreal-based traders who travelled by canoe.