Slide 7 Interdependence 2 French fur trappers lived in Indian villages and married Indian women. Their offspring became the metis. Jesuit priests sent to convert Indians to Catholicism learned their language and lived among them European diseases further decimated Indian populations

Conflict Various Indian nations tried to keep others from trading with the French to prevent them from getting metal tools and weapons. As fur-bearing animals were depleted, Indians moved into their neighbor’s’ territories to hunt, creating conflict. French expected to join Hurons in their fighting against the Iroquois: result: the Iroquois became bitter enemies of the French In Iroquois stormed and destroyed the Huron villages.

Cultural Differences French were scandalized by the Iroquois tradition of “mourning wars.” Captives in mourning wars were either adopted or tortured to death and eaten. French did not understand the Indian tradition of gift-giving as a form of ceremony symbolizing friendship and partnership between equals during trade negotiations.

How did the French get Louisiana when they started in Canada 1682 Explorer Robert de Salle explored the length of the Mississippi River. Planted a flag at the mouth of the river and claimed the river and all its watersheds for France. French goal: build a network of forts and trading posts to protect that territory.

French Mercantilism Relied on furs which could be sold for specie rather than gold itself. Relied on trade rather than enslavement of Indians. Relied on trading posts and forts to hold colonial lands in North America because settlements were very small.