The Seigneurial System

Devine Right of Kings France long ruled under the principle that the right to rule was granted to the monarch by God, not the people France long ruled under the principle that the right to rule was granted to the monarch by God, not the people Power was both civil and military – it was absolute Power was both civil and military – it was absolute Absolutism of Louis XIV was established when he said “L’État c’est moi” meaning “I am the State” Absolutism of Louis XIV was established when he said “L’État c’est moi” meaning “I am the State” Louis XIV of France

Devine Right of Kings Authority delegated to high-ranking nobles by monarchs making their powers absolute as well - role of remaining society was to simply obey

Absolutism in New France Trading companies first given responsibility of establishing settlements in New France Trading companies first given responsibility of establishing settlements in New France Licences were granted by French king gave entrepreneurs monopolies to engage in trading opportunities Licences were granted by French king gave entrepreneurs monopolies to engage in trading opportunities Companies focused on financial rewards of fur trade and the fishery – not settlement Companies focused on financial rewards of fur trade and the fishery – not settlement

Absolutism in New France Louis XIV assumed political, military, and economic responsibility for New France and declared it a royal province of France in 1663 Louis XIV assumed political, military, and economic responsibility for New France and declared it a royal province of France in 1663 At the time, France most powerful empire in Europe At the time, France most powerful empire in Europe Louis’ believed France’s strength and prosperity obtained through self-sufficiency – sources of raw materials and ready markets for finished goods in colonies key to making France more powerful Louis’ believed France’s strength and prosperity obtained through self-sufficiency – sources of raw materials and ready markets for finished goods in colonies key to making France more powerful

Absolutism in New France A new government system was established in New France to oversee its economic development Sovereign Council consisted of governor general, the bishop, and the intendant – military, religious, and religious authorities rarely questioned Clergy, nobles, military officials, judges, administrators, and merchants joined the politicians at the top of New France’s social pyramid Society paralleled absolutist and aristocratic society that prevailed in France with craftworkers, peasants, and labourers at the bottom of the social pyramid

Absolutism in New France

Governor Frontenac was the first Governor General in New France – chief official who was responsible for maintaining law and order as well as the military Francis of Laval First Bishop of New France.

The Settlement Era Main function of intendant was the chief administrator of New France responsible for economics, finance, and justice First intendant of New France was Jean Talon, who served from 1665 to 1672 His goal was to increase the population of New France by enticing settlers with the lure of free land and passage

The Settlement Era Talon’s policies to increase population growth in New France through immigration focused on three key groups: Les Filles du Roi (Girls of the King) – 900 French girls were sent to New France from France as wives (Men to Women ratio in 1666 was 16 to 1) Soldiers – retired soldiers were offered free land in New France upon their retirement. Habitants & Engages (hired workers) - people offered land for three years of service

The Settlement Era Several of Talon’s policies to increase population growth were designed to raise the birthrate in New France: Men and women were encouraged to marry young and have large families. Fines were given to fathers of unwed adults (particularly women) Families received a Family Allowance benefit for having more than 10 children

The Settlement Era Several of Talon’s policies to increase population growth were designed to increase the birthrate in New France: Young married couples received a bonus payment. Bachelors were fined or had their livelihood restricted by having limitations placed upon their access to trade

The Seigneurial System Island Orleans Feudal System came from Europe (Pay Taxes & Public Works)

The Seigneurial System Because New France was a rural society with almost four out of every five people living on a farm, one of the roots of daily life was the Seigneurial System. A land distribution and holding system patterned on European feudalism. The King owned all land in New France. Seigneuries were grants of land made by the Crown to members of the nobility and varied in size from ten square kilometers to close to two hundred square kilometers. The seigneurs, or lords, in turn, then parceled out the land and rented it to the habitants who worked it.

Duties of the Seigneur Subdivided the land into 32-hectare parcels and then granted land to the Habitants. Built a house and flour mill on the Seigneury. Contributed to the construction of the church. Reported the following information to the the Intendant. 1. The population of the Seigneury. 2. The amount of land under cultivation. 3. The Dues paid.

Duties of the Habitant Pays taxes or dues to the Seigneur Build a house and farm the land. Perform unpaid labour for the Seigneur (3 days- Corvée) Gives a percentage of his produce (fish, crops, animals)

Old seigneurial manor house Two factors caused the narrow strip farming running away from the rivers that became characteristic of New France. First, everyone needed water access for irrigation and transportation. Second, the French had an inheritance system that called for all children to inherit equally, as opposed to the English system of primogeniture whereby the eldest male got everything. As one generation gave way to the next, the farms were divided lengthwise, always with water access. As a result, the landscape of New France was an endless series of narrow farms running to the water's edge.