In much of the late 17th century, the Iroquois and the colonists of New France engaged in a protracted struggle for control of the economically important North American fur trade, known as the Beaver Wars. The Iroquois also fought other Native American nations to control the lucrative trade with the French. In August 1689, the Iroquois launched one of their most devastating raids against the French frontier community of Lachine. This attack occurred after France and England had declared war on each other but before the news had reached North America.
