7. New France in 1663 part 2 Flashcards
The impact of settlement policies
By the 18th century, the number of men and women evened out. The plan of Filles de Roy had worked. Men were still getting marries later on in life.
Rate of natural increase
Population growth in the colony was mainly due to the natural increase. The quality of life in the St Lawrence Valley encouraged a high birth rate. Toward the end of the 17th century, the rate of natural increase in New France was higher than that in France.
Economic diversification efforts
Since New France was established, the main economic export was furs. Jean Talon wanted to diversify the economy in New France. He wanted agricultural production to exceed the needs of the colony and send a surplus of it back to France.
Measures implemented by Jean Talon
He brought a variety of seeds to New France to determine which ones worked the best.
He encouraged the diversification of crops (hemp for rope, flax for sails).
He encouraged animal husbandry (raised for meat and products).
He sent colonists to explore for copper, iron and coal.
He encouraged the cultivation of hops (used to make beer), since men drink during the winter.
He had a tannery (animals skins turned to leather, and brewery built.
Results of Jean Talons economic measures
Jean Talons efforts to diversify the economy failed. Farmers were too busy clearing their land to cultivate extra crops. New France went back to relying on furs to stimulate the economy.
Reorganization of the Fur Trade
In 1663, all residents were permitted to take part in the fur trade. Coureurs de bois participated in the fur trade because they were attracted to profits associated with the fur trade. The coureurs de bois went into Pays d’en Haut (center of New France), which is the Great Lakes Region. Their numbers grew so much that trade was threatened with overproduction.
Overproduction of fur trade
There were too many furs being taken out of the woods, number of furs were going up and number of beavers were going down. There was so much fur being exported which brought down the price because it wasn’t as rare anymore.
Trade agents
By 1681, the minister of the marine made a system of congés de traite, which were trade licenses to regulate the fur trade. The governor general granted 25 licenses every year. Only traders with a license could participate in the fur trade with the native people. Some of the traders contracted to work of voyageurs to transport furs in exchange for part of the profits.
The Beaver crisis
Furs were still being over exploited. They eventually had a whole warehouse of furs, the price of furs kept going down. Merchants in the colony experienced a major loss in profits due to overhunting. This major financial loss was called the beaver crisis.
Response to the beaver crisis
French authorities responded in 1696 by reducing hunting territory and closing forts used as trading posts. Many argued that the forts should remain open to retain relations with the Natives and prevent them from building commercial, political and military ties with the English. The Natives absorbed English colonists because they couldn’t have relations with the French. The French lost allies.
Territorial expansion of New France
During the second half of the 17th century, the French continued to explore the continent. These explorations were motivated by expanding trade networks, gaining control of territories before the English, members of religious orders who wanted to evangelize native populations.
Towards 1700, French explorations allowed the territory of New France to be expanded to what territories?
The mouth of Mississippi, Illinois Country ans Louisiana
Where were these three countries added to?
Canada, Acadia, Pays d’en Haute.
The great peace of montreal
The french wanted general peace. the Iroquois confederacy agreed to have peace after they were weakened by the French. In 1701, an important diplomatic meeting in order to achieve peace was held in Montreal. Both French and Iroquoian leaders signed this document and piece was achieved.
Treaty of great peace
It had many animals which represented the animals that symbolize the different clans of the Iroquois confederacy.
