Starting a French Colony

Samuel de Champlain French explorer, and soldier best known for establishing and governing the settlements of New France and the city of Quebec. 1604 Pierre Du Gua de Monts and Champlain were appointed by the French King Henry IV to set up trade posts and start a French colony in North America

King Henry IV of France and Pierre Du Gua de Monts

French Monopoly King Henry IV gave de Monts a monopoly in the fur trade in return for establishing a French colony The right to carry on all business related to a certain goods or service No other French businesses were allowed to trade furs with First Nations Could charge whatever price he wanted

Champlain Built a habitation called Quebec in 1608 in the Stadacona area towering cliffs provided a natural fort

Habitation of Quebec The community includes: Warehouse Storerooms A building for munitions A garden A pigeon loft Several residences A smithy A drawbridge surrounded by a moat

Creating Allies Champlain needed a dependable source of furs and protection so he could make a profit SO, Champlain allied with the Algonquin and Montagnais They promised to trade only with the French Threat of English establishing trade farther south In turn, the French would help the Algonquin fight the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)

Creating Alliances This alliance between the French and the Algonquians destroyed any chance of friendly relations between the French and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) 1609 Champlain joined a raid against the Haudenosaunee - The arquebus (French firearm) helped to win several battles

The Wendat (Huron) Five First Nations with territories along the southern shore of what is now Georgian Bay in Lake Huron Prosperous soil for farming Lake full of fish Great traders Becomes enemies of the Haudenosaunee

Creating Better Allies Champlain also allied with the Wendat Wanted to trade with them because: gain access to furs from peoples living deep in the interior of the continent Had lots of resources to trade The Wendat would help them fight the Haudenosaunee

Why Even Have fur Trade? Hats made from beaver fur (castor gras d’hiver) were the fashion rage in Europe North America was the best place to find them

Quebec Habitation in Trouble Champlain’s business partners thought it was too expensive to expand the colony Christian missionaries trying to convert First Nations hurt relations with Wendat and Algonquin English attacked in 1629 Algonquins refused to help the French Champlain taken prisoner

Starting New Louis XIII's chief minister, Cardinal de Richelieu, formed the Company of 100 Associates to rule New France Champlain returned to Quebec as lieutenant Governor of the colony of New France

New France: Quebec

Colonialism the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.