ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN THE 17 TH & 18 TH CENTURIES (Module 2 / Section I #3) Lower Quebec City - Market

Do Not Forget… New France began as a commercial colony controlled by Fur Trading Companies who had a monopoly over the fur trade and who also governed the French colony. New France began as a commercial colony controlled by Fur Trading Companies who had a monopoly over the fur trade and who also governed the French colony. This changed in 1660, when New France became a “royal province” under Louis XIV of France. The French Crown now controlled the colony through a governor, intendant, and bishop. This changed in 1660, when New France became a “royal province” under Louis XIV of France. The French Crown now controlled the colony through a governor, intendant, and bishop. Intendants, Jean Talon ( & ) and Gilles Hocquart ( ), attempted to broaden the economy to have a colony based on settlements, agriculture, and industries. Intendants, Jean Talon ( & ) and Gilles Hocquart ( ), attempted to broaden the economy to have a colony based on settlements, agriculture, and industries.

Intendant Jean Talon ( & ) Improved Farming: - Granted more seigneuries and encouraged immigration. - Brought horses, sheep, and cattle from France. - Commercial Crops – flax for linen; hemp for ropes; barley and hops for beer. Attempted To Create Industries: - Used forest land for timber in shipbuilding and barrel making. - Hat making from fur pelts (textile). - Tannery making leather for shoes (textile). - Pitch and tar production used in ship building. - Brewing company. - Brewing company.

Intendant Jean Talon ( & ) Encouraged Trade Introduced TRIANGULAR TRADE. 1. The colony of New France would ship furs, timber, wheat, and minerals. 2. Caribbean colonies (e.g. Martinique) would supply rum, molasses, and sugar. 3. France, in turn, would supply textiles, and manufactured (finished) goods.

Talon’s Industries Failed due to:  Local markets (in New France) not large enough to support industries.  Labour and transportation costs made “canadien” products uncompetitive on French market.  Textile industries failed because N.F. population preferred wool from France.  Brewing company failed because people preferred wine and brandy from France.

Intendant Gilles Hocquart ( ) Improved Farming: - Opened seigneuries along Chaudiere, Richelieu, and St.Lawrence rivers. - Tripled amount of cultivated land. - Exported wheat. Encouraged Industries: - Shipbuilding (war ships and merchant ships). - Iron Foundry (1739, forges de Saint-Maurice near Trois-Rivieres). - Family shops, or artisans who crafted hats, clothing, metal products (blacksmiths). - Tar making for caulking ships.

Negative Influences Holding Back Economic Activity in New France  France’s belief in mercantilism (did not want colony to produce finished goods – competed for same market.  Lack of skilled workers (artisans preferred to stay in France).  No capital (lack of money to invest in projects).  Difficulty finding global markets and exporting goods except for furs.

Bottom Line New France never attained a strong and prosperous economy, and had difficulty truly being self-supporting. The colony depended on finished goods and financial support from France. New France never attained a strong and prosperous economy, and had difficulty truly being self-supporting. The colony depended on finished goods and financial support from France.