1. Seigneurial System

2. Farming: Most settlers were farmers
The soil was rich but it was hard work
Why?
Land had to be cleared
Soil needed to be broken for seeding
Only hand tools available
Short growing season
Eventually 90% of the inhabitants of New France would live off the land

3. Why the seigneurial system?
Trading Companies had not been successful in attracting immigrants to New France
Immigration was needed to stave off English expansion
Land holding system similar to the Feudal System
Make the seigneur reponsible for finding people to farm his land

4. What was a Seigneury?
An area of land given to a person of status ( it could be bought)
Started in 1627 under Richelieu
The land was divided into long strips so that each farm may boarder with the river or a lake
These seigneuries were to be clustered around the three main settlements of Quebec, Trois Riverier and Montreal

6. What was a Seigneur? The person who the king leased the land to.
They had to promise loyalty to the king in return for the land
Promised to colonize
Find centsitaires (farmers/habitant) to clear land
Build oven, mill
Protect habitants
Help build roads and repair them
Collect cens/rent
Report minerals found to the king
Report oak trees
Had to develop land or it would be lost

9. The seigneur had to live on the estate
He must build a ‘domaine(manor)

12. The Habitant or Censitaire
He must pay rent for roture (land)
Pay rent for use of the common
Clear land
Expected to work for the seigneur three to four days a year
Defend seigneury if attacked
Fish, grain, work days could be given in lieu of cash