Economy and the Government in New France (Ch.2) King Louis the XIV

The Royal Takeover New France depended on France for its survival. - Supplies, military protection. IN RETURN New France supplied resources such as fish and furs. (The colony made France richer and more powerful).

In 1663 King Louis XIV took control of the colony from the merchants. He set up a Sovereign Council - A government with three (3) officials: Governor, Intendant, and Bishop. Set up by King Louis XIV to govern the colony of New France.

Sovereign Council Governor: Most powerful member, King’s personal representative, usually an army officer and a noble, took charge of the defense of the colony and its relations with allies and enemies. Intendant: Second most important official, in charge of day- to-day affairs of the colony, managed the colony. (First Intendant of New France was Jean Talon).

Jean Talon (very handsome)

Sovereign Council Bishop: Head of the Church, leading role in politics, Laval University= first was a seminary in Quebec to train priests (first bishop was Francois de Laval)

The colonist had to follow the rules and laws established by the Sovereign Council.

The Catholic Church in New France Most people in France were Catholic therefore, colonist in New France were Catholic too. The most important goal of the Church was to spread the Catholic faith (i.e. convert First Nations).

Populating the Colony The King sent 900 women to New France to become wives of the colonist. The women were known as “The King’s Daughters” If they married the King gave……….

If married the King gave…

The King gave……. An ox A cow 2 chickens 2 pigs Salt beef Money Sounds like a great deal……

Populating the Colony Within 14 years the population grew from 3200 to 10,000. Therefore….. These 10,000 colonists are the ancestors of most Canadians of French decent (the original Canadiens).

Women in New France Women worked very hard in the fields. Girls in New France received a better education then they would have in France. Nuns operated the schools and taught the children. Girls often received a better education than boys.

Operator and teachers of schools

The Economy of New France Most of the French Colonists were farmers. The social structure of New France was based on Seigneurial System.

Seigneurial System The King gave large areas of land along side the St. Lawrence River to nobles called Seigneurs.

Seigneurial System Seigneurs had to find colonists (known as habitants) to settle the land. Both the colonists and seigneurs had duties to each other. Colonist: - H as to give seigneur a portion of each years crop (i.e. corn). Seigneur: - Had to build a mill and church on his land.

Seigneurial System The King knew that the Seigneurial System would encourage settlement in New France. The Seigneurial System became the model for the settlement through New France.

The French: Forgoing the Foundations of Canada People in New France had more food, better housing than the people in the home country. The French colonists became a self reliant people with a unique way of life that was distinct from France.

Long Live the King of France