1. The French Colonies of North
America
Paige Ellis

2. American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia
The French started their colony in northern
latitudes, to avoid hostility from Spain.
The French colony was based on fur trade,
which caused the French and Indians to
become mutually dependent.
The Europeans bought furs with
manufactured goods, which the Indians
prized for spiritual and utility reasons.
The fur trade pitted the Indians against each
other, as well as causing competition among
the Europeans.

3. The French settled in the St.
Lawrence Valley because it was
ideal for trading.
When they befriended the Hurons,
Algonkins, and Montagnais, they
made themselves enemies of the
Iroquois.
The French engaged in attacks on
the Iroquois, which drove the
Iroquois to try and disrupt the fur
trade.
Europeans began to sell the Indians
firearms, which revolutionized Indian
warfare.
American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

4. The Iroquois conducted wars to appease
grief, restore power, and build status.
They took prisoners from their enemies and
subjected them to torture, to build group
cohesion and prepare boys for warfare.
Eventually the Five Nations of the Iroquois
formed a league of peace, which was
primarily a ceremonial forum to promote
peaceful thinking.
This internal peace refocused Iroquois
hostility outward, escalating their hatred for
their enemies.
American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

5. The French colony was sustained by the
Jesuits’ efforts to convert the Indians.
The Jesuits mastered the native
languages and lived in their villages.
They encountered frustration because of
the Indians’ relativistic worldview.
The Indians seemed more interested in
the apparent magical powers of the
Jesuits than the message they were
preaching.
However, many Indians did convert to
Catholicism, which undermined the unity
and morale of their villages and nations.
American Colonies 5- Canada and Iroquoia

6. American Colonies 16- French America
The French colony needed more inhabitants to
defend itself against the British.
People were reluctant to move to New France,
because it had a reputation for harsh climate, hostile
Indians, and immoral inhabitants.
Even though the crown encouraged and even bribed
people to go, most emigrants came as only out of
desperation.
However, the inhabitants did enjoy privileges like
hearty food, horses, and status.

7. The French colonies had a more
militaristic and centralized form of
authority than the British.
The crown appointed three
officials to govern New France,
but they constantly fought for
power.
The crown also worked to
reinforce social rank by favoring
seigneurs financially.
Noble birth, rather than acquired
wealth, was the primary criteria of
status in New France.
American Colonies 16- French America

8. In addition to Canada, the French
colonized Louisiana, in the interior
of North America.
However, few French volunteered
to colonize it, so they relied on
convicts and military conscripts.
Louisiana suffered from an
underdeveloped economy, corrupt
officials, and tension between the
Europeans, the slaves, and the
Indians.
Ultimately, the colony cost France
more than it yielded in revenue.
American Colonies 16- French America

9. The Indians and the French had an alliance based on
trade and common enemies.
The French expected to buy the Indians’ obedience
through gifts, but they gave more presents than they
purchased in control.
The Indians came to rely on European goods, to the
point where they considered the cessation of trade as
an act of hostility.
The support of the Indians was crucial in supporting
and defending the French colony, so they were
mutually dependent.
American Colonies 16- French America

10. The Indians and the French had an alliance based on
trade and common enemies.
The French expected to buy the Indians’ obedience
through gifts, but they gave more presents than they
purchased in control.
The Indians came to rely on European goods, to the
point where they considered the cessation of trade as
an act of hostility.
The support of the Indians was crucial in supporting
and defending the French colony, so they were
mutually dependent.
American Colonies 16- French America