-
Period: Oct 8, 1500 to
Native's Culture
CULTURE:
In the 16th century, the Natives lived a very different culture from the rest of the world. The culture and traditions of the Amerindians were expressed in their beliefs. They were strong belivers in the power of a dream and spirituality. As soon as the Europeans arrived in the 17th century, some Natives were forced to be evangelized. -
Samuel de Champlain - Stadacona (Quebec)
POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT:
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain establishes a trading post near Stadacona, which is now known as Quebec. The Europeans would trade with the Natives to obtain fur. The Company of One Hundred Associates was granted a complete monopoly over the fur trade by the King. -
Period: to
Fur Trade's Prime
ECONOMICS:
At first, the main export back to France was fish because they were dried, salted, and returned to France. This was quickly replaced by Furs because the beaver pelt was perfect for making felt (especially wide brim felt hats which were popular among men). The Europeans were very dependant on the Native's in order to keep this trade going. In 1770, the production of fur in exports hit 76%. In around 1810, the fur trade declined as the timber trade grew increasingly. -
The Company of One Hundred Associates
POPULATION & SETTLEMENT:
In 1627, the King of France appointed The Company of One Hundred Associates to populate the colony. The company attracted a few hundred colonists, but it was well under the 4000 projected. -
Champlain de Laviolette - Trois-Rivières
POPULATION & SETTLEMENT:
Champlain put Sieur de Laviolette founded Trois-Rivières in 1634. He was in charge of finding a second settlement at the confluence of the St. Maurice and St. Lawrence rivers. This new settlement allowed furriers to communicate with each other and to prevent the Iroquois from intercepting trades. -
Paul Chomedy, Sieur de Maisonneuve - Ville-Marie
In 1642, Maisonneuve founded Ville-Marie, which was close to the Iroquois village called Hochelaga. At first, the purpose of this settlement was to evangelize the Natives. It soon became a major trading post, because of its ideal location. Ville-Marie was renamed to Montreal in the 18th century. -
Jean Talon's Immigration Policies
POPULATION & SETTLEMENT:
In 1663, the King of France created the position of intendant who was in charge of settlement. Jean Talon was the first intendant and he implemented various measures to ensure that the population increased and became diversified. Three groups of immigrants that arrived were the engagés, the soldiers, and the Filles du Roy. Talon's policies attracted thousands of people to New France. Jean Talon implemented a policy supporting a rising birth rate, which was a success. -
Establishment of the Royal Government
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
The Royal Government, that was established in New France in 1663, was inspired by the absolute monarchy in France. This governmental system included the King of France (who would stay in France), the Minister of the Marine (who would also stay in France, but was in charge of everything across the Ocean), the Sovereign Council (who was in New France and was made up of the Governor General, the Intendant and the Bishop), and the Captain of Militia (who was in New France). -
Period: to
Relationship between the State and the Church
CULTURE:
François de Laval held the most superior position in the Catholic clergy at the time the Royal Government was set up (1663). Laval had such power, he was given a seat on the Soverign Council and had considerable influence on the State. In the 18th century (could be from 1700-1800), the political power of the church diminished when they no longer had that seat on the Council. -
Period: to
The beaver crisis
ECONOMICS:
In 1690s, the beaver economy was in crisis. Fur clothing became out of style and the demand for beaver pelts decreased. The colony was producing too much fur pelts to sell, so the King ordered a slowdown of the fur trade. -
Period: to
The Seven Years War
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
In 1756, fighting began in both Europe and in North America. The British planned a sea attack and succeeded in taking control of Louisbourg, which was an extremely powerful fort. They would then sail down to Quebec to fight. The war in North America ends in 1760. New France never stood a chance at defeating the 13 colonies. Britain had more sea power, and could easily sent troops and supplies. France was focused on the war in Europe. -
Battle on the Plains of Abraham
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
The Battle on the Plains of Abraham was the deciding battle to end the Seven Years War in North America. General Wolfe of the British and General Montcalm of the French both died. The English win and take Quebec. Any remaining French soldiers retreat to Montreal, where they surrender in 1760. -
Population Satus of New France and the 13 Colonies
POPULATION & SETTLEMENT:
By 1760, New France had a population of 70,000 whereas the 13 colonies had 1 500,000. New France had a weak economy, was held back by mercantilist policies, and was centered on furs. The British colonies had more freedom and were very prosperous. -
Royal Proclamation
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
The Royal Proclamation was put in place with the objective to assimilate all the French subjects that remained in The Province of Quebec. The territory was decreased to just around the St. Lawrence river valley. There would be a new hierarchy: the King appointed a Governor who then appointed a Council. Both the criminal and civil English laws were put in place. No new Bishop was allowed and finally no Roman Catholic would be allowed to hold public office. -
Quebec Act
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
The Quebec Act was instated in 1774 in order to assure the loyalty of the french-speaking population in case of an American revolt. This Act enlarges the Quebec by giving it the Ohio Valley. They are given an appointed council, French civil laws, tithe, and the seigneurial system. The Quebec Act angered the Americans. -
American Revolution
POWER / COUNTER POWER:
The Americans decide to attack the closest british colony: the Provonce of Quebec. The Americans overpowered the British colony and finally concured the British forces in 1781 in Yorktown. In 1783, the Treaty of Versailles was signed which granted the former-colony their independance. The United States of America were born. -
Arrival of the Loyalists
POPULATION & SETTLEMENT:
After the Revolutionary War against Britain, the British Loyalists immigrated to the onlly British colony left: Quebec. Tens of thousands of Loyalists settled in Montreal, Gaspésie, Sorel and the Eastern Townships.
