New France

Summary

In this historical lecture, we delve into the evolution of New France, starting with its small population of merely 3,000 in the 1660s. Guided by French royal policies and aided by influential figures like Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Jean Talon, the colony gradually transformed from a company-run settlement into a flourishing Royal Province. The narrative charts the challenges the colony faced, such as low population, economic trials, and tensions with the Iroquois, culminating in the Beaver Wars. Despite numerous conquests and tumultuous episodes, New France's resilience laid the groundwork for a new Canadian identity distinct from its European roots.

Highlights

• New France's transformation was propelled by absorbing policies like Jean-Baptiste Colbert's and interventions from Louis XIV. 🚀
• Transitioning into a Royal Province doubled New France's size within a decade. 🔄
• Jean Talon encouraged local production, from brewing to shipbuilding, highlighting colonial ingenuity. 🤹‍♂️
• Encounters with the Iroquois led to the impactful Beaver Wars, marking intense resource and trade conflicts. ⚔️
• By 1700, a unique Canadian identity emerged, distinct from European influences. 🍁

Key Takeaways

• New France grew from 3,000 in the 1660s to a key player due to strategic royal interventions. 🌍
• Economical structures like triangle trade were vital in supporting the growth and self-sufficiency of the colony. 💱
• The introduction of the seigneurial system played a central role in agricultural development and settlement patterns. 🌾
• The Beaver Wars were a pivotal moment, showing the complexities of colonial-native relations and trade struggles. 🦫
• Jean Talon's innovative economic policies, though at times coercive, significantly shaped New France's demographic and trade dynamics. 📈

Overview

New France began its journey with a small population, drastically overshadowed by the more populous English colonies. Thanks to Jean-Baptiste Colbert's administrative acumen and King Louis XIV's decision to turn New France into a Royal Province, the colony experienced rapid growth and increased importance in global trade through Carribbean and French connections.

Economic policies under influential figures like Jean Talon bolstered the colony’s growth. The introduction of the seigneurial system, along with fostering industries like shipbuilding and farming, were crucial steps in stabilizing New France. Talon's ordeal of bringing women settlers underlines how demographic changes were integral to societal development.

The narratives of the Beaver Wars reveal the profound and often adversarial relationships between colonists and Indigenous groups. Although it was an era marred by conflict and hardship, it catalyzed a distinct Canadian identity that distinguished itself from its French origins, paving the way for a resilient community landscape.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Overview The chapter titled 'Introduction and Overview' covers the historical topic of making new alliances, including notable subjects such as 'gentle on ears', 'the King's Daughters', the establishment of a neural system, and the Bieber fur Wars around 1660. It notes the size of the population of New Friends at this time, highlighting its small number of just 3,000 people in contrast to the rapidly growing English colonies on the Eastern Seaboard.
• 00:30 - 01:30: Transition to Royal Province Louis XVI dissolved the company of 100 Associates and transitioned the control of the colony to a Royal Province under the king's direct authority, following the advice of his comptroller General Finance, Jan Baptiste. This move affected over a hundred thousand colonists.
• 01:30 - 03:00: Economic and Governmental Changes The chapter titled 'Economic and Governmental Changes' discusses the transition of a settlement from being company-run to being governed by Royal Decree. This change was a dramatic but necessary measure that yielded positive results, doubling the colony's size within a decade. A key individual in this transition was Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who played a crucial role in the colony's prosperity by serving as the Controller General of Finance.
• 03:00 - 04:30: Role of Jean Talon and Military Actions Jean Talon played a significant role in the economic reconstruction of France during his tenure from 1665 to 1683. He served as the Secretary of State for the Navy under King Louis XVI. His efforts contributed to strengthening France's position as a dominant power in Europe. In addition to his economic policies, he advised the king on increasing military actions, which further established France's influence during this period.
• 04:30 - 06:00: Seigneurial System and Land Distribution An overview of the Seigneurial System and land distribution in New France, highlighting the triangle trade that developed between France and its colonies in Canada and the Caribbean. Canada supplied fish, timber, and minerals, while the Caribbean provided rum, molasses, and sugar. France sent textiles and manufactured goods in return, creating a self-sustaining economic system.
• 06:00 - 07:30: Return of Jean Talon and Governance Issues The establishment of trade networks and a colonial government in the year 1663.
• 07:30 - 09:00: The Beaver Wars and Iroquois conflicts The chapter discusses the administrative structure of a colony governed by an appointee with substantial powers. This individual, appointed through a royal commission and subject to recall, was responsible for overseeing financial matters and implementing the king's decisions. Reporting to the minister of marine, the appointee would address challenges related to new policies and provide a comprehensive annual report on the colony's status.
• 09:00 - 10:00: Shift in Canadian Identity This chapter explores the evolution of Canadian identity, focusing on the role of The Sovereign Council in New France. The council influenced governance through direct orders or decrees, selecting tenants from influential circles outside the nobility based on competence and diligence. Jean Talon, one of the best-known intendants of New France, exemplified the effective administration by intendant during this formative period.
• 10:00 - 10:30: Conclusion and Preview The chapter concludes with the transformation of a small fur trading and missionary outpost under company rule into a self-sufficient and profitable Royal Province. This shift signifies a new era marked by stability and growth. Talon's role is highlighted as a pivotal character, representing a new kind of hero in this narrative. Unlike the traditional figures often depicted in exploration or military conquests, Talon brings a unique contribution to the province's development: economic strength and self-sufficiency. His leadership underscores a pivotal transition in the region's history, steering away from mere survival towards a prosperous and independent existence. This evolution sets the stage for further developments, promising a future of continued growth and resilience for the province.

New France Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 in this lecture you are going to learn about the making of new friends the gentle on ears the King's Daughters this neural system and the Bieber fur Wars in 1660 the entire population of New Friends was only 3 000 people a far cry from the English colonies on the Eastern Seaboard which were bursting with a
• 00:30 - 01:00 hundred thousand colonists or more doing the same ratio of low population Louis XVI on the advice of his comptroller General Finance Jan Baptiste copper Louis canceled the company of 100 Associates and elevated new friends to the position of Royal Providence under the direct authority of the king himself
• 01:00 - 01:30 changing from a company-run settlement to being ruled by Royal Decree was a dramatic measure but worked within 10 years the colony had more than double in size Louis indeed saved new friends an instrumental figure in helping new friends flourish was gem Baptist Colbert he served as comptroller General Finance
• 01:30 - 02:00 from 1665. to 1683 and Secretary of State for the Navy from 1668 to 1683 under King Louis XVI of France he carried out the program of economic reconstruction that helped make friends the dominant power in Europe aside from advising the king to create a
• 02:00 - 02:30 royal Providence in New France Cobra developed a system of self-supporting triangle trade back and forth between France and his colonies in Canada and the Caribbean Canadian colonies which at first fish Timber and minerals the Caribbean colonies will supply rum molasses and sugar and France in turn will supply textiles and manufacture Goods
• 02:30 - 03:00 aside from creating these trade networks the next order of business was to create a system of colonial government in 1663 King Louis XVI established a governor and a sobering Council and an attendant the intended and control the colony's entire civil Administration he gave particular attention to settlement and economic development and to the administration of justice
• 03:00 - 03:30 because he also managed financial matters he had the most sweeping powers in the colony's government appointed by a royal commission and subject to recall at will the intended reported to the minister of marine he ensured that the king's decisions were implemented appealed to the minister over difficulties with new policies and presented a detailed annual report on the colony
• 03:30 - 04:00 acted either by direct order or by decree of The Sovereign Council which he shared in tenants were usually chosen from influential circles outside the nobility and were noted for the competence and care with which they perform their duties one of new France's best known intentions was John Talon gent alone was the first attendant of
• 04:00 - 04:30 new friends Talon was to convert a small weak fur trading and missionary outposts under company rule into a profitable well-populated Royal Providence capable of Defending itself he represented a new hero he was not an Explorer or Soldier or martyr he was a
• 04:30 - 05:00 bureaucrat Talon is best known for looking outside the box to create new markets for example he brought a loom and encouraged colonists to weave he encouraged numerous shops ins and factories he even built the colony's first Brewery however the habitants always prefer wine and Brandy over beer to diversify the economy Talon had the
• 05:00 - 05:30 mineral and Timber resources evaluated he encouraged commercial farming shipbuilding and Fishery and Foster trade with the French West Indies however despite the lawn's economic Ingenuity the iroquoides had become the Region's dominant military force in a pushed the French colony to the brink of the solution
• 05:30 - 06:00 to eliminate the threat in June 1665 the king sent 1100 soldiers of the Lee cardigan salaries regiment their mission to end the Iroquois threat once and for all by November a chained affords had been built along the Rivery Russia Lu blocking that main Invasion route when peace negotiations were futile a
• 06:00 - 06:30 fool-hearted mid-winter expedition was mounted approximately 600 of the troops and 70 Canadians invaded the Mohawk Canton in February 1666 some of them were Ambush but no harm was done to the enemy some 16 more of the French Parish during the retreat to Canada in September the regiment again invaded
• 06:30 - 07:00 the Mohawk country they found the villages asserted and burned to the ground in July 1667 the Euro guys finally came to terms and agreed to a ceasefire it was a piece that will last 20 years this mission accomplished the regiment was recalled to France in 1668 but some 400 officers and Men chose to remain greatly straining the colonies defenses
• 07:00 - 07:30 military ethos and economy however the issue of low population remained Talon noted that there were far too many bachelors and not enough young women of marriageable age in a population of 3 000 there were around 700 unmarried men and 45 single women between 1663 and 1673 under Talon's
• 07:30 - 08:00 urging the king sponsored nearly 800 young female settlers their transportation and settling costs were covered by the crown almost all were married soon after the arrival some within days many residents of Quebec in Canada today can trace the routes back to these ladies for those who refused to get married Talon had this to say
• 08:00 - 08:30 I have ordered that Bachelors be deprived of the right to trade and hunt and that the honors and privileges of church and community be withheld other than by decree if within 15 days of the arrival of vessels from France they are still not married so basically he forced all those young Bachelors to get married talk about being forced to tie down
• 08:30 - 09:00 over the course of the semester we have been discussing the way other European powers had established a form of land distribution in government in their new world colonies Spanish for example system French will have the senioral system this system is based on European concept of feudalism in land ownership the
• 09:00 - 09:30 senioral system was established in New France in 1727 and officially abolished in 1854. as part of this neural system the crown granted Land Titles to certain deserving individuals and institutions these were usually soldiers noblemen or religious organizations but especially they could all connected commoners
• 09:30 - 10:00 the estate belonged to the senior or Lord on the condition that he developed it these usually involve building and maintaining a manner a male and even a fortress to achieve this the senior abroad and laborers who lived on his land and worked it these tenants later known as sentiers or habitants did not own the land they
• 10:00 - 10:30 worked but they could pass it on to their children the habitants paid a lease and had certain obligations to the Lords of the estate such as giving him a portion of their Harvest in New France 80 percent of the population will soon live in rural areas governed by this system of land distribution and occupation
• 10:30 - 11:00 Talon will eventually say goodbye to new friends he had accepted the post in Canada as a route to promotion and in 1671 he asked the king's permission to return to France he said quote my obedience in leaving Europe for America posing my life to the different Perils of sea and sickness and my labors and I land as a rough as this was in its beginning
• 11:00 - 11:30 he returned in 1672 and was appointed secretary to the king member of the royal household and was named Kell D or Seville today Talon is remembered as an entrepreneur and originator of the family allowance but his enduring Legacy was the centralized Royal administrative and legal framework in New France in 1672 Frontenac obtained the governorship of
• 11:30 - 12:00 Canada in part to put off his creditors with the intended absent from 1672 to 1675 he extended his Visa role in military authority to civil matters Frontenac was a controversial figure his pretensions such as being the corn sales of Iran's Germans were resisted by other officials whom he sometimes exiled
• 12:00 - 12:30 or placed in confinement clergy were offended by his approval of selling branding to the indigenous people but perhaps one of his most influential policies was frontenac's attempt to revive the fur trade in the frontier he often benefited himself from this trade and his efforts led to renewed hostilities with Iroquois the Iroquois Confederacy had set up four trading colonies of their own on the
• 12:30 - 13:00 North shore of Lake Ontario the fir tree was heavily dependent on Native suppliers it brought the First Nations and the early colonies into a tight Market relationship one that initially favored natives but which would later turn against them the Iroquois Confederacy eventually became dependent upon the items they receive in exchange for first the metal tools and guns were more efficient than
• 13:00 - 13:30 the stone tools and arrows they produced and as time passed the Iroquois began to prefer these items and depend on them for survival so when the French began to trespass on iroquoin territory a war will ensue again the paper Awards also known as the Iroquois Wars or the French and Iroquois Wars and could pass a series of conflicts fought during the 17th century in America
• 13:30 - 14:00 the Bieber wars were battles for economic welfare throughout the Saint Lawrence River Valley in Canada in the lower Great Lakes Region when the Iroquois lost their Dutch allies in the New Netherlands colony after England took it over in 1664. the English became trading partners with Iroquois armed by the English allies in New York the Iroquois began ambushing native fur canoes that were destined for
• 14:00 - 14:30 new friends then in 1684 the French launched a ray deep into the Confederacy territory it turned into a humiliating Fiasco but the French were undeterred to expand their fur trading networks in 1687 when a delegation of 40 Onondaga amboys arrived to negotiate a ceasefire they were scenes and sent back to France as slaves
• 14:30 - 15:00 French followed this up with a massive Invasion several thousand strong into the very heart of the Seneca Homeland burning Villages destroying fields and desecrating Graves in retaliation the Iroquois launched an attack of Their Own in August of 1689 the Iroquois fell on the small community of landshine killing two dozen settlers and carrying off almost 60 more for torture and execution
• 15:00 - 15:30 Massacre marked the start of more than 10 years of Terror for the citizens of New France as the Iroquois attacks increase no one fell safe over the years of conflict between the French and the Iroquois there will be hundreds of battles and attacks both Iroquois and the French will be
• 15:30 - 16:00 fighting for the survival of their communities war will also create interesting characters and leaders who will rise up to protect their communities one of the most known More Heroes of the era is Madeleine de bergeris in 1692 the 14 year old Madeleine defended her family farm from the Iroquois while her father was away on business as she saw the attack approaching Madeline put on a soldier's uniform and
• 16:00 - 16:30 fire a cannon to warn other habitants along the valley Madeline rile at her brothers and tenants with the ringing Battle Cry let us fight to the death for our homeland and our religion for God and King the story was subsequently published by historians however today some of the details of her encounter with the Iroquois is subject to debate in part because about age 54 seeking a favor
• 16:30 - 17:00 from friends after other Witnesses had disappeared the heroin to a new version one full of exaggeration in which she confronted 45 or more Iroquois nevertheless departure is is today a symbol of Canadian heroism after years of fighting by 1700 the tie had begun to turn against the Iroquois
• 17:00 - 17:30 with the population diminished the ranks depleted and their territory overextended they began to reconsider their campaign against in France French had pushed back the Iroquois back into their original territory south of Lake Ontario and in 1701 the Iroquois signed a peace treaty within France under this treaty the Iroquois agreed to maintain neutrality in any future anglo-french conflicts in your friends
• 17:30 - 18:00 relented and allowed the Iroquois to trade in the interior in this sense 1701 marks the end of an era today the Bieber Wars represent an intense struggle for control over resources in the early colonial period the Paper Wars also resulted in the permanent diaspora and destruction of several first nations in the Eastern Woodlands but the Iroquois had not been defeated in fact they have fought the French to a
• 18:00 - 18:30 standstill and they will endure as an independent power in their own land until well after the passing of neo-france for the French the end of the Bieber Wars symbolized stability to New France it also created a new sense of identity by 1700 a new nationality was taking shape one that saw itself as neither French nor European but Canadian
• 18:30 - 19:00 the habitants in Canada that tile the land were abnant about one thing they were Not Mere peasants they had more freedom than their European counterparts the a better had healthier lifestyle and bigger families and were not nearly as submissive to Authority so next time we will continue to discuss these changes in the growth of the
• 19:00 - 19:30 Canadian identity that is all for now please stay tuned for the next video lecture