The French Colonies of North America

Paige Ellis

American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

The French started their colony in northern latitudes, to avoid hostility from Spain. The French colony was based on fur trade, which caused the French and Indians to become mutually dependent.The Europeans bought furs with manufactured goods, which the Indians prized for spiritual and utility reasons.The fur trade pitted the Indians against each other, as well as causing competition among the Europeans.

The French settled in the St. Lawrence Valley because it was ideal for trading. When they befriended the Hurons, Algonkins, and Montagnais, they made themselves enemies of the Iroquois. The French engaged in attacks on the Iroquois, which drove the Iroquois to try and disrupt the fur trade. Europeans began to sell the Indians firearms, which revolutionized Indian warfare.

American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

The Iroquois conducted wars to appease grief, restore power, and build status.They took prisoners from their enemies and subjected them to torture, to build group cohesion and prepare boys for warfare.Eventually the Five Nations of the Iroquois formed a league of peace, which was primarily a ceremonial forum to promote peaceful thinking. This internal peace refocused Iroquois hostility outward, escalating their hatred for their enemies.

American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

The French colony was sustained by the Jesuits’ efforts to convert the Indians. The Jesuits mastered the native languages and lived in their villages. They encountered frustration because of the Indians’ relativistic worldview.The Indians seemed more interested in the apparent magical powers of the Jesuits than the message they were preaching. However, many Indians did convert to Catholicism, which undermined the unity and morale of their villages and nations.

American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

American Colonies 16- French America

The French colony needed more inhabitants to defend itself against the British. People were reluctant to move to New France, because it had a reputation for harsh climate, hostile Indians, and immoral inhabitants. Even though the crown encouraged and even bribed people to go, most emigrants came as only out of desperation.

However, the inhabitants did enjoy privileges like hearty food, horses, and status.

The French colonies had a more militaristic and centralized form of authority than the British.The crown appointed three officials to govern New France, but they constantly fought for power.The crown also worked to reinforce social rank by favoring seigneurs financially. Noble birth, rather than acquired wealth, was the primary criteria of status in New France.

American Colonies 16- French America

In addition to Canada, the French colonized Louisiana, in the interior of North America. However, few French volunteered to colonize it, so they relied on convicts and military conscripts. Louisiana suffered from an underdeveloped economy, corrupt officials, and tension between the Europeans, the slaves, and the Indians. Ultimately, the colony cost France more than it yielded in revenue.

American Colonies 16- French America

The Indians and the French had an alliance based on trade and common enemies.The French expected to buy the Indians’ obedience through gifts, but they gave more presents than they purchased in control. The Indians came to rely on European goods, to the point where they considered the cessation of trade as an act of hostility.

The support of the Indians was crucial in supporting and defending the French colony, so they were mutually dependent.

American Colonies 16- French America