The Society of New France
The Society of New France There were many early expeditions from Europe to North America, most in search of a
Northwest Passage that linked the Atlantic to the Pacific, thus leading to the wealth of Asia .
These excursions alerted Europeans of the resources North America offered and this attraction of fish and furs stimulated annual voyages from Europe to reap the benefits of the New World. As appealing as this discovery was, Europeans considered this New World a harsh environment and few thought of settling permanently , but eventually political and economic interests inspired
Europeans establish settlements in North America . Overseas colonies were regarded as an opportunity to gain political advantage amongst European monarchs in constant competition for power and glory . While English settlement in eastern North America was influenced by the fish-rich waters, French colonization was influenced by the desire for even greater riches . In 1534,
Jacques Cartier was sent to the New World to claim the land for France and search for the gold that was believed to be in line for discovery. After failure to find the gold that was anticipated and Cartier’s unsuccessful colonization attempt, France lost interest in North America settlement . It wasn’t until 1600 that the demand for furs significantly increased and France regained interest in North America . The north shore of the St. Lawrence became the focus and in 1608, Samuel de Champlain full of determination and perseverance founded France’s first permanent Canadian colony. He strategically chose the location of Quebec as the new base of operations for the commercial, political and religious conquest of Canada . Among Quebec’s advantages were the spectacular natural defences and the proximity to the land of the Native peoples who were absolutely necessary to fur traders . After much fascination with this New
World, the consequential fur trade along with the
Northwest Passage that linked the Atlantic to the Pacific, thus leading to the wealth of Asia .
These excursions alerted Europeans of the resources North America offered and this attraction of fish and furs stimulated annual voyages from Europe to reap the benefits of the New World. As appealing as this discovery was, Europeans considered this New World a harsh environment and few thought of settling permanently , but eventually political and economic interests inspired
Europeans establish settlements in North America . Overseas colonies were regarded as an opportunity to gain political advantage amongst European monarchs in constant competition for power and glory . While English settlement in eastern North America was influenced by the fish-rich waters, French colonization was influenced by the desire for even greater riches . In 1534,
Jacques Cartier was sent to the New World to claim the land for France and search for the gold that was believed to be in line for discovery. After failure to find the gold that was anticipated and Cartier’s unsuccessful colonization attempt, France lost interest in North America settlement . It wasn’t until 1600 that the demand for furs significantly increased and France regained interest in North America . The north shore of the St. Lawrence became the focus and in 1608, Samuel de Champlain full of determination and perseverance founded France’s first permanent Canadian colony. He strategically chose the location of Quebec as the new base of operations for the commercial, political and religious conquest of Canada . Among Quebec’s advantages were the spectacular natural defences and the proximity to the land of the Native peoples who were absolutely necessary to fur traders . After much fascination with this New
World, the consequential fur trade along with the
Bibliography: Conrad, Margaret & Finkel, Alvin. History of the Canadian Peoples: Volume 1-Beginnings to 1867. Toronto: Pearson Longman, 2009. Fay, Terence J.. A History of Canadian Catholics: Gallicanism, Romanism and Canadianism. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2002. Kerr, Linda. “Unit 2 Study Guide: Canada in the Period of French Colonialism-Section 2.5 Social Life in New France.” In History 224: History of Canada to 1867. Athabasca University, 2013, Magnuson, Roger. .Education in New France. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1992.