The French in North America American Pageant ch6 ~ Melissa Carter

Huguenots French Protestants being persecuted for their religious beliefs Edict of Nantes- granted limited tolerance of the Protestant faith in France.

French exploration of North America Establishment of Quebec in 1608 Exploration of the St. Lawrence River Exploration of the Mississippi River Traveled across the continent in search of beaver

French Explorers Samuel de Champlain- St. Lawrence River Robert de LaSalle- Mississippi River

FORT QUEBEC

Growth of New France Very slow…..WHY? Lacked reason to migrate ◦ French landowners vs. displaced English ◦ Huguenots would not find refuge ◦ Little, to no economic benefit

Coureurs de bois “runners of the woods” Hunters and trappers Rough men who went deep into the continent in search of beaver for the fur trade Interaction with Native American ◦ Trade ◦ Worked together ◦ Loss of Indians due to disease

FRENCH FUR TRADING MAP

French & Indian Interaction “frontier of inclusion” Much less violent- New France a series of small forts and towns. Most French were wanderers – relied upon hunting, trapping and fishing. (No land encroachment) Jesuits- Catholic missionaries that often became a part of a tribe for several months to years.

Intermarriage ◦ Few European women, more Indian women available ◦ Indian women knew the tasks required of fur preparation ◦ Economic benefits for both ◦ Creation of a new society- metis (blend of European and Indian) ◦ Metis- “children of the fur trade”