Black Robes

French vs. English England was not Catholic (Protestant) England was not Catholic (Protestant) France and England were always warring: France and England were always warring: Religion Religion Fur Fur Colonization of Americas Colonization of Americas The French believed that if Natives would convert to Catholicism it would give them an advantage The French believed that if Natives would convert to Catholicism it would give them an advantage

French Catholics In Europe during this time: the French were extremely Catholic In Europe during this time: the French were extremely Catholic Many French priests believed it was their duty to convert the Natives of the Americas Many French priests believed it was their duty to convert the Natives of the Americas Many of these priests travelled to North America as Jesuit missionaries Many of these priests travelled to North America as Jesuit missionaries The Wendat were identified early as ideal for conversion The Wendat were identified early as ideal for conversion

1634- Mission de Sainte-Marie First successful Jesuit mission First successful Jesuit mission Established in Huron (Wendat) territory Established in Huron (Wendat) territory Destroyed by Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) in Everyone was killed Destroyed by Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) in Everyone was killed The Jesuits were considered martyrs and even more followed from France The Jesuits were considered martyrs and even more followed from France By 1654 there were more missions established By 1654 there were more missions established Some even in Iroquois territory Some even in Iroquois territory

Reductions Reductions: communities where Natives lived but were run by Jesuits Reductions: communities where Natives lived but were run by Jesuits The method was to adopt and accept Native practices The method was to adopt and accept Native practices Jesuits first tried to understand the Natives as much as possible Jesuits first tried to understand the Natives as much as possible Then slowly they could combine Native traditions with Catholic ones Then slowly they could combine Native traditions with Catholic ones Not as cruel as Spanish or English Not as cruel as Spanish or English

Expansion The Jesuits travelled far west with the help of trusted Native companions The Jesuits travelled far west with the help of trusted Native companions This spread the European influence across much of the continent This spread the European influence across much of the continent While many Natives met and trusted the priests the actual number of converts was small While many Natives met and trusted the priests the actual number of converts was small Many French explorers began to “convert” to Native ways instead Many French explorers began to “convert” to Native ways instead

Tensions Problems eventually cropped up between missionaries and traders Problems eventually cropped up between missionaries and traders Traders would trade alcohol with Natives Traders would trade alcohol with Natives Many Natives became too dependent on alcohol and this caused many problems Many Natives became too dependent on alcohol and this caused many problems In 1662, France outlawed the trade of alcohol In 1662, France outlawed the trade of alcohol This did not help though, it only made the relationship between Jesuits and traders worse This did not help though, it only made the relationship between Jesuits and traders worse

Records and History This time in our history is well documented This time in our history is well documented Jesuits kept records of everything Jesuits kept records of everything Because they sought to understand Natives, these documents provide interesting insights Because they sought to understand Natives, these documents provide interesting insights These sources also have many problems, but remain invaluable to historians These sources also have many problems, but remain invaluable to historians