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Champlain wanted to establish a settlement in North America. He was able to convince one of the most powerful people in France, Cardinal Richelieu, to establish a group of 100 investors. This group was called the Company of One Hundred Associates. It's purpose was to establish settlement, trade, and to convert First Nations people to Catholicism.
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Nouvelle-France grew slowly, colonies faced attacks by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The Haudenosaunee formed alliance with the British and went to St. Lawrence to disrupt trade between the French and the Wendat (Huron) nations. Except French colonists lived in fear and trade wasn't developed. -
When King Louis XIV came to the throne he was determined to make Nouvelle-France an important part of the French Empire. Because the Company of One Hundred Associates did not fulfill it's contract, King Louis XIV dismissed the company and made Nouvelle-France a royal colony in 1663. As a royal colony Nouvelle-France would be governed by a system of Royal Government. -
Despite the French Monarchs didn't travel to Nouvelle-France, they did receive reports from key officials, which represented them in an organization, known as The Sovereign Council. The Council was composed of an intendent; whom controlled policies, justice, and finances of the colony. The governor; whom administered military matters and external policies. A bishop, and five councillors. -
During early years of the royal rule, the French government showed great interest Nouvelle-France affairs. Although as France became more involved in other European wars, Nouvelle-France became more independent from France. As well the distance from France contributed to Nouvelle-France being more independent from France. -
The issue of defence for the French immigrants became very important, and for King Louis XIV. Whom sent 1100 members of the Carignan-Salieres Regiment. The Regiment undertook two expeditions against Haudenosaunee. The first expedition did not engage in anything, although the second expedition; they burned down villages, and destroyed Haudenosaunee stock of grains. Haudenosaunee then signed a peace treaty along with French colonists. -
Quebec had then organized it's own militia to defend the colony against attack. The size of Militia grew so much by 1669 that Louis XIV ordered that every able-bodied males in Nouvelle-France between the ages of sixteen-sixty would be apart of Militia. As multiple men had experience in North American environment, Militia became an effective group of fighters. The Militia would as well assist in building roads, bridges, and buildings. -
Governor Louis Buade, Comte de Frontenac, had dreams of a French empire, which would control all of North America. French officials often warned overextending their resources. By 1682, French territory stretched from Newfoundland to eastern region (Manitoba). -
France and Britain declared war, and became engaged in a fight for supremacy. Once war was declared, France's attention was focused on winning the war in Europe. Britain however began to concentrate on winning the war in North America. When the war broke out, France relied on supplies sent from France. The British relied on North America for supplies, and used their naval superiority to block French supply. -
General James Wolfe sailed from England, with an order to conquer all of Nouvelle-France. With him he brought 180 ships carrying 15 000 soldiers, as well as surgeons, ministers, wives, and children. Troops began bombarding the town of Quebec on July 12, 1759. And continued attack for nine weeks. Wolfe then started planning for the final attack against French General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. -
Wolfe's men were stationed in the early hours, on the outside of Quebec's cliffs. In the dark British soldiers sealed the cliffs and positioned themselves in an area known today as Plains of Abraham. General Montcalm had his French troops stationed at Beauport. By the next morning both generals were dead and France had lost Quebec City. -
British then battled their way towards Montreal. Governor Vaudreuil admitted defeat and on September 8, 1760, signed the Articles of Capitulation. His signature surrendered Nouvelle-France to General Jeffery Amherst and the British. Many people of Nouvelle-France felt that France had abandoned them. -
Pontiac was First Nations war chief. After the conquest of Nouvelle-France, he had tried to build alliance with the British, but no success. Under his leadership, First Nations from all around united to fight against the British, beginning in the summer of 1762. It seemed Pontiac's plan to unite First Nations would succeed. Conflicts were over by 1763, and peace negotiations began. In 1766, Pontiac signed a peace treaty with the British at Fort Ontario. -
In 1763 the Seven Years War had ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. For the First Nations people, the Treaty of Paris resulted in a major shift with their relationship with the European colonies. With the British in control, First Nations lost their strategic position in bargaining. As well, European newcomers were venturing further into their lands. -
Britain issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763. The Royal Proclamation created a clear boundary between the British and First Nations. Britain hoped by keeping colonists separate from the First Nations, future conflicts would be avoided. The Royal Proclamation officially established the province of Quebec, and gave residents their first civil government. Citizens of British North America were not pleased. The French laws that protected Quebec were abolished.
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