French & English Empires of North America Imperial Policies, Strengths & Weaknesses

Two contrasting visions of New France:  A fur-trading colony requiring constant expansion - large but sparsely settled?(Early French Governors)  A "compact colony" along the St. Lawrence - diversified economy, concentrated settlement?(Louis’s vision)

Official French Imperial policy:  Louis XIV wanted to build a compact colony limited to the St. Lawrence River valley  Despite this imperial plan, fur traders and the colony's early governors (esp. Frontenac) encouraged expansion into the interior

A Failed Imperial Plan  Distance made it difficult for France to enforce its policies in North America  By 1700, New France stretched from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, occupying a vast area of North America

French Imperial Policy, :  French colonies in North America were considered "sacrificial pawns"  If necessary, they would be given away to protect other more valuable holdings in Europe and the Caribbean  French philosopher Voltaire described New France as "a few acres of snow"

Treaty of Utrecht (1713): A Turning Point for New France  French on losing side of War of Spanish Succession  Newfoundland and parts of Acadia given to Britain  Captured Hudson Bay trading posts returned to Britain  New France "squeezed" on two sides by British territory  New France forced to develop a plan of defence

French Plan of Defence  After 1713, France builds a series of forts to defend its remaining North American territory  Key fortification: Louisbourg (1720) defends entrance to Gulf of St. Lawrence  Forts stretch through Acadia to Lake Champlain southward to the Gulf of Mexico  Goal: restrict English colonies to strip of land along eastern coast

English Response ( ):  English build a series of forts to counter French forts  Ex.: Halifax (1749) built to challenge Louisbourg  North America becomes armed camp as both sides prepare for war  What are the strengths and weaknesses of each side as they prepare for the "final conflict" for North America?

Strengths of the French Empire in North America  Alliance with native peoples: knowledge of the wilderness, fighting methods  Skilled at "guerrilla" fighting methods suitable to North American environment (small "hit and run" raids)  Central command structure: Only one military commander for all forces

Weaknesses of French Empire:  Population of too small to defend vast French colony  Large area to defend  No surplus manpower in time of war - either defense or economy (fur trade, agriculture) suffered

Weaknesses of French Empire:  Lacked diversified economy - dependent on France for food & supplies  Dependent on France for much of its defense  Received little support from France (Voltaire: "a few acres of snow")

Strengths of the English Empire in North America  Diversified economies - plantation agriculture, trade, small scale manufacturing made colonies self-sufficient and prosperous  Population of 1.5 million - surplus of manpower available in wartime

Strengths of the English Empire in North America  Received active support of Mother Country in time of war (greater commitment to colony's defense)  Supported by powerful British Navy

Weaknesses of English Empire:  Colonial disunity - often acted as 13 colonies, not as 1  Lacked support of native peoples

North America on the Eve of the Seven Years' War