French Colonization in French Colonization in North America North America

The French begun to settle Quebec, under Samuel de The French begun to settle Quebec, under Samuel de Champlain (Father of New France), in 1608 (year after Champlain (Father of New France), in 1608 (year after Virginia), at the mouth of the St. Lawrence RiverVirginia), at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River

France became interested in further expansion / France became interested in further expansion / colonialism in Nth America aftercolonialism in Nth America after

End to foreign wars End to foreign wars End to internal wars between Catholics and Protestant End to internal wars between Catholics and Protestant

Huguenots (Treaty of Nantes of 1598 finally gave them limited Huguenots (Treaty of Nantes of 1598 finally gave them limited toleration)toleration)

Desire of Louis XIV's to expand overseas (nationalism, Desire of Louis XIV's to expand overseas (nationalism, mercantilism) mercantilism)

Louis XIV / the Sun KingLouis XIV / the Sun King

This is the only contemporary likeness of the explorer

Samuel de Samuel de ChamplainChamplain to survive to the present. It is also a self-portrait.

French expansion in Nth Am, in the mid and late 1600s, French expansion in Nth Am, in the mid and late 1600s, was usually along the paths of lakes and rivers, or near was usually along the paths of lakes and rivers, or near suitable ports and harbors (St. Laurence, New Orleans, suitable ports and harbors (St. Laurence, New Orleans, Detroit) – transportation, source of beaversDetroit) – transportation, source of beavers

The strongholds of New France were:The strongholds of New France were:

Quebec, Montreal in modern day CanadaQuebec, Montreal in modern day Canada Detroit (founded by Antoine Cadillac): to stop British settlementDetroit (founded by Antoine Cadillac): to stop British settlement Louisiana / New Orleans (founded by Robert de La Salle, called Louisiana / New Orleans (founded by Robert de La Salle, called

after Louis XIV): to halt Spanish settlementafter Louis XIV): to halt Spanish settlement

There they established trading posts, settlements, There they established trading posts, settlements, missions, forts missions, forts

Some Characteristics of New FranceSome Characteristics of New France

1. Directly control by the French Kings: hierarchical: 1. Directly control by the French Kings: hierarchical: autocratic: no legislative assemblies (like Spanish autocratic: no legislative assemblies (like Spanish colonies); did not have right to jury trialcolonies); did not have right to jury trial

2. Low levels of population: by 1750 there were only 2. Low levels of population: by 1750 there were only 6,000 settlers (English colonies had close to 2.5 million6,000 settlers (English colonies had close to 2.5 million

– French peasants had little Economic motive to move, France French peasants had little Economic motive to move, France was not troubled by overpopulation or an enclosure movement was not troubled by overpopulation or an enclosure movement as Britain was, and the Huguenots who wanted to move were as Britain was, and the Huguenots who wanted to move were not allowed to do so. not allowed to do so.

3. Most interested in beaver furs at first - beaver-pelt 3. Most interested in beaver furs at first - beaver-pelt hats were fashionable in Europe - than in farming / hats were fashionable in Europe - than in farming / plantation cash crops; “coureurs de bois” / runners of the plantation cash crops; “coureurs de bois” / runners of the woods or trapperswoods or trappers

– later developed Commercial Agriculture - grew huge quantities later developed Commercial Agriculture - grew huge quantities of grain in Illinois and Ohio valleys – no plantationsof grain in Illinois and Ohio valleys – no plantations

4. Had a better relationship with many of the Native Am 4. Had a better relationship with many of the Native Am Indians than did the British: French were more tolerant, Indians than did the British: French were more tolerant, intermarried, befriended Indians (esp. Jesuits, who tried intermarried, befriended Indians (esp. Jesuits, who tried to protect and convert – usually in vain) – though they to protect and convert – usually in vain) – though they still infected them with diseases and introduced them to still infected them with diseases and introduced them to alcohol: had an alliance with the Huron (an anti-Iroquois alcohol: had an alliance with the Huron (an anti-Iroquois alliance – Iroquois would become British allies) alliance – Iroquois would become British allies)

Co-existed with British at firstCo-existed with British at first

By late 17th Cent and early 18th Cent, as French By late 17th Cent and early 18th Cent, as French settlements expanded, friction / conflict developed with settlements expanded, friction / conflict developed with English for control of Nth AmEnglish for control of Nth Am

Much of the conflict, however, originated in EuropeMuch of the conflict, however, originated in Europe

Anglo-French ConflictsAnglo-French Conflicts

Intensified after succession of William and Mary in Intensified after succession of William and Mary in Glorious Rev: William of Orange was a sworn enemy of Glorious Rev: William of Orange was a sworn enemy of Louis XIV and wanted to prevent any French expansionLouis XIV and wanted to prevent any French expansion

His successor Queen Ann, 1702, was also hostile to His successor Queen Ann, 1702, was also hostile to French expansion French expansion

Led to a series of Anglo-French wars in Europe – lasted Led to a series of Anglo-French wars in Europe – lasted over 80yrs – spilled over into North Am in the form of: over 80yrs – spilled over into North Am in the form of:

King William's War, 1689-1697 King William's War, 1689-1697 Queen Anne's War, 1701-1712Queen Anne's War, 1701-1712

FeaturesFeatures

Most conflicts were in NY and MassMost conflicts were in NY and Mass Indians mostly helped FrenchIndians mostly helped French Spanish in Florida helped fellow French CatholicsSpanish in Florida helped fellow French Catholics British Colonists won most of the battlesBritish Colonists won most of the battles France retained Quebec and MontrealFrance retained Quebec and Montreal Colonial affair – no British or French troopsColonial affair – no British or French troops Ended with Peace of Utrecht 1713 – Britain gained Ended with Peace of Utrecht 1713 – Britain gained

French territory, esp. Acadia (renamed Nova Scotia / New French territory, esp. Acadia (renamed Nova Scotia / New Scotland), Newfoundland, and the Hudson BayScotland), Newfoundland, and the Hudson Bay

1739 - 1739 - The War of Jenkins EarThe War of Jenkins Ear - between Britain and - between Britain and Spain in the South / Florida area: the key issue was British Spain in the South / Florida area: the key issue was British trading in Floridatrading in Florida

King George's War 1744-1748King George's War 1744-1748, (extension of War of , (extension of War of Austrian Succession) was between Br and Fr/Sp in New Austrian Succession) was between Br and Fr/Sp in New EngEng

British Colonists, with help of a British fleet, seized the reputedly British Colonists, with help of a British fleet, seized the reputedly invincible French fortress, Louisburg (controls approaches to the invincible French fortress, Louisburg (controls approaches to the St Lawrence River)St Lawrence River)

But the Peace of 1748 handed it back to the French, upsetting the But the Peace of 1748 handed it back to the French, upsetting the victorious New Englandersvictorious New Englanders

In the aftermath of King George's War, relations between the In the aftermath of King George's War, relations between the English, and the French and their Indian allies deteriorated further English, and the French and their Indian allies deteriorated further

Ohio Valley Ohio Valley became the key source of contention became the key source of contention between them:between them:

France wanted to connect New France / Canada with Louisiana: France wanted to connect New France / Canada with Louisiana: began building a chain of forts in Ohio Valley (Fort Duquesne the began building a chain of forts in Ohio Valley (Fort Duquesne the most imp.)most imp.)

British were concerned about being hemmed in on the Eastern British were concerned about being hemmed in on the Eastern Coast: began occupying / acquiring lands in the region from Native Coast: began occupying / acquiring lands in the region from Native AmericansAmericans

British began building their own forts and challenging Fr ones; British began building their own forts and challenging Fr ones; 1754 Virginia sent a militia force under Washington; built Fort 1754 Virginia sent a militia force under Washington; built Fort Necessity, attacked French, lost, forced to surrender, then freed Necessity, attacked French, lost, forced to surrender, then freed

Marked the beginning of the French and Indian War Marked the beginning of the French and Indian War (Am) / Seven Years War (global)…next unit..(Am) / Seven Years War (global)…next unit..

Compare and Contrast with British and Compare and Contrast with British and French ColoniesFrench Colonies

PERSPERS Political – no democracy, hierarchy, Political – no democracy, hierarchy,

aristocratic, conflict with Britisharistocratic, conflict with British Economic – beaver trapping, later grain….no Economic – beaver trapping, later grain….no

plantations plantations Social – low population, good relationship Social – low population, good relationship

with Nativeswith Natives Religious – missionaries, CatholicReligious – missionaries, Catholic