Inuit, Vikings, French, Jacques Cartier, New France, New France society

1. What kind of society did the
French colonists create in their
North American colonies?
Chapter 2: France Takes an
Interest in North America

2. France Takes an Interest in
North America
Colony: A territory controlled by another country.
Empire: A network of colonies controlled by a
single country.
Imperialism: A country extending its control
over other countries, often using economic or
military means.
Silk Road: The route travelled by Europeans
crossing through Asia and Eastern Europe used for
trading.

3. Imperialism
When Europeans first came to North America they
created new settlements called colonies.
The first colonists in Canada came from France.

4. Imperialism
Empires are networks of colonies controlled by a
single country (aka the home country).
Colony
Colony Colony
Colony Colony
ColonyColony
EmpireColony

5. Imperialism
Colonies had no independence.
The home country was responsible for decisions
regarding economics and politics. This system of
control of is called Imperialism.
Colony
Home
Country
The colony shipped
resources to the home
country (fish, furs, lumber,
metal ores, etc.)
The home country shipped
settlers and soldiers tot the
colony. It controlled the
economy and government.

6. Image Analysis
• What country is the
octopus?
• What countries are
the octopus trying to
take from/control?
• How does this cartoon
show imperialism?

7. Imperialism
For centuries, much of the world was ruled by
imperial powers.
It was within this framework that Canada became a
country.
In this chapter we’re going to investigate why
France was interested in building a colony in
North America.

8. European Imperialism
People began arriving in the land we now call
Canada over 10, 000 years ago.
The first people to arrive here were....

9. Canada’s First Peoples
The first settlers of Canada were people from ASIA.
They migrated through the BERING STRAIT
LAND BRIDGE 12, 000 years ago.
These first settlers are the present day Inuit.

10. European Imperialism
Europeans began arriving in the land we now call
Canada over 1000 years ago.
The first Europeans to arrive here were.... The Norse
from Scandinavia.
Also known as:
The Vikings
https://youtu.be/R3GM3F7JZ2c
https://youtu.be/FX2KTkgo2Lk

11. The Vikings – The First European Explorers
In the 11th
Century, the Norse
peoples of Scandinavia
(Vikings) had already
established a reputation in
Europe for being great BOAT
BUILDERS and SAILORS.
They used their boats to carry out raids on their
European neighbours, and then to travel to Iceland
and Greenland.

12. The Vikings – The First European Explorers
The telling of the adventures
of the Vikings were passed
down by oral traditions
and then written down in
what has become known as
the VINLAND SAGAS.
These stories tell of the
journeys of many Vikings,
especially LIEF ERIKSON
and the discovery of
VINLAND.

13. Vikings - The First European Explorers
Viking settlements have been
supported by the remains of
L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS
in Newfoundland.
The Vikings were the first Europeans to cross the
Atlantic Ocean to live in North America. They did
not stay long and it would be another 500 years
before Europeans would sail to North America again.

14. Vikings – The First European Explorers

15. 15th
Century Trade in Europe
People were running out of space and resources in
the 15th
Century (Years 1400-1499).
Many European countries were trading with ASIA to
find these resources.
The route to Asia was DANGEROUS because
traders would often be AMBUSHED and ATTACKED
by pirates and other countries along the way.
Many countries believed if they could find an easier
way to get to Asia, they could become rich.

16. Why did the imperial (Empires) of Europe want to
expand their empires to North America?
ECONOMICS – Resources could make European
countries rich. In Canada, the resource the
Europeans wanted most was FUR for HATS and
COATS.
COMPETITION – Countries were at war for land and
resources. The more colonies a country had, the
more POWER and PRESTIGE it had.
RELIGION – Most Europeans were CHRISTIANS.
They believed Christianity was the one true faith and
their duty was sharing their religion with others.
CURIOSITY – Europeans were also curious about
what lay beyond the horizon.

17. What comparisons can you make?
What is similar between this song and the Explorers
of Europe?
https://youtu.be/cPAbx5kgCJo

18. Looking for a New Silk Road
For centuries, the countries of EUROPE and ASIA
traded with one another.
France, England, Spain, Portugal and the
Netherlands looked to India, China, Japan and
Indonesia for what kinds of goods?

19. Looking for a New Silk Road
For centuries, the countries of Europe and Asia
traded with one another.
France, England, Spain, Portugal and the
Netherlands looked to India, China, Japan and
Indonesia for what kinds of goods?
 Spices
 Tea
 Silk
 Porcelain
 Gems

20. Looking for a New Silk Road
To bring these goods home, the Europeans travelled
a route known as the Silk Road.
This route became dangerous because ambush
parties would often attack the traders either charging
a tax or stealing their goods.
By the 1400’s the Europeans were eager to find a
new route to Asia, preferably by water.

21. Looking for a New Silk Road
In 1492, Queen Isabella of
Spain sent Christopher
Columbus west across the
Atlantic is search of a new
silk road.
His voyages led to the
European awareness of
the American continents.

22. Expanding Across the Ocean
Why did the imperial countries of Europe want to
expand their empires?

23. Expanding Across the Ocean
Why did the imperial countries of Europe want to
expand their empires?
1.Economics
2.Competition
3.Religion
4.Curiosity

24. Expanding Across the Ocean
1. Economics
 Europeans set up colonies so they could
claim the resources for themselves.
Ex: Fur

25. Expanding Across the Ocean
2. Competition
 Countries of Europe were at competition
with each other.
 The more colonies (and land) that a
country controlled, the more power and
prestige it had.

26. Expanding Across the Ocean
3. Religion
 The Catholics (France) and the Protestants
(England) wanted to spread their version of
Christianity to other parts of the world.

27. Expanding Across the Ocean
4. Curiosity
 Europeans were curious about the rest of
the world.
 New technologies made travelling farther
than they ever had before possible.

28. Chapter 2 Task
Journal of a European Explorer
You are a European explorer in the 1500’s. Write a journal
entry in which you explain why you feel it is a good
idea to sail to North America and establish a colony
there.
 You must include ideas/reasons for all four reasons why
Europeans came to North America.
1. Economics
2. Competition
3. Religion
4. Curiosity

29. Chapter 2 Task
Journal of a European Explorer

30. Chapter 2 Task
JOURNAL
OF A
EUROPEAN
EXPLORER
Example
Dear Journal, March 5, 1543
I have been asked to join a crew sailing to North
America. Our ship will be carrying missionaries
who are going to spread the Catholic religion to the
native people. They will be returning with a ship full
of goods. I`ve heard that fur is easy to get there. I
plan to stay in the new colony and make my own
fortune collecting furs. I`ve been told we are
leaving the day after tomorrow. The French
government wants to get as many ships to the New
World as soon as possible. Perhaps they are afraid
the British will take all the furs or claim all the land.
I wonder what it will be like there... will it look
anything like France? I am very excited to see
what adventures lie ahead for me.
Sincerely, Louis Villeneuve

31. France Takes an Interest in
North America
Jacques Cartier: Explored the Gulf of
St.Lawrence making first contact with the Mi’kmaq.

32. Brainstorm
Looking at Canada today, how do
we know France has played an
important role in developing
Canada?

33. Brainstorm
Looking at Canada today, how do we know France has played
an important role in developing Canada?
The Royal French Flag

34. Brainstorm
Looking at Canada today, how do we know France has played
an important role in developing Canada?
The Quebec Flag

35. Brainstorm
Looking at Canada today, how do we know France has played
an important role in developing Canada?
The Canadian Coat of Arms

36. Brainstorm
Looking at Canada today, how do we know France has played
an important role in developing Canada?
The Acadian Flag

37. Cartier Crosses the Atlantic
In 1534, the king of France
sent Jacques Cartier across
the Atlantic in search of a
passage through North
America to Asia.
After 20 days a sea, he
reached the coast of
Newfoundland.

38. Cartier Crosses the Atlantic
One day, Cartier and his men were
exploring the shores of the St. Lawrence
when they came across a group of
Mi’kmaq.
Cartier wrote about what happened
between them in his journal.
This is the first written account of trade
between the first nations and Europeans.

39. Cartier Crosses the Atlantic
A large number of people… set up a great
clamour and made frequent signs to us to
come on shore, holding up to us some skins
on sticks…
We likewise made signs to them that we
wished them no harm, and sent two men
ashore to offer them some knives and other
iron goods and a red hat to give to their
chief…
They bartered all they had, to such an extent
that all went back naked… and they made
signs to us that they would return on the
morrow with more skins.
Based on this
account, what
suggests the first
nations would
have traded
before? Who
would they have
traded with?

40. The Challenges of Settlement
In July 1534, Cartier landed at
a place he called Gaspé.
There, he met a group of
Haudenosaunee led by a man
named Donnacona.
After this meeting, Cartier
took two of Donnacona’s sons
on board is ship. He sailed
them back to France to prove
to the king what he found.
http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10123

41. The Challenges of Settlement
In 1535, Cartier returned with three ships, 110 men
and Donnacona’s two sons.
They guided them up the St.Lawrence River as far as
Stadacona where Donnacona and his people lived.
Cartier and his crew decided to to
stay the winter. They built a small log
fort near Stadacona.
How do you think the French made out during their first North
American winter?

42. The Challenges of Settlement
They did not have enough fresh fruit and vegetables.
Many of the crew became sick and died of scurvy, a
disease brought on by a lack of vitamin C.

43. The Challenges of Settlement
The Haudenosaunee had a
cure for scurvy . They
taught the French how to
make the cure from boiling
pieces of white cedar into
tea.
Without their help, Cartier
and the rest of his men
may not have survived the
winter.

44. Land of Riches
The Haudenosaunee told Cartier about a land
northeast of their village where there were fruit
trees, metals and gems.
In 1536, Cartier forcibly took Donnacona and nine
other villagers back to Europe.
Why do you think Cartier took them back to Europe?

45. Land of Riches
The Haudenosaunee told Cartier about a land
northeast of their village where there were fruit
trees, metals and gems.
In 1536, Cartier forcibly took Donnacona and nine
other villagers back to Europe.
So they could tell the king about the riches in North
America.
He hoped this information would convince the king
to pay for another cross-Atlantic trip.
Why do you think Cartier took them back to Europe?

46. Cartier Visits Again
Cartier returned to north America in 1542 to set up a
colony along the St. Lawrence River.
By this time, all but one of the Haudenosaunee
Cartier had taken to Europe died. Cartier told the
Hauenosaunee that everyone else was well and living
in Europe.
Why do you think Cartier lied about the Haudenosaunee
being alive? Do you think they believed him?

47. Cartier Visits Again
Cartier returned to north America in 1542 to set up a
colony along the St. Lawrence River.
By this time, all but one of the Haudenosaunee
Cartier had taken to Europe died. Cartier told the
Hauenosaunee that that everyone else was well and
living in Europe.
Written accounts say they did not believe him and as
a result were hostile toward the French.
Why do you think Cartier lied about the Haudenosaunee
being alive? Do you think they believed him?

48. Cartier Visits Again
After another terrible winter, the French colonists
decided to return to Europe.
Cartier took samples of what he believed were gold
and diamonds with him. But it turned out they were
worthless pyrite (fools gold) and quartz.
Although he was not successful in
establishing a permanent colony in
North America, Cartier did succeed
in gathering a great deal of important information
about the land.

49. Questions
France Takes an Interest in North America (pg 36-38)
1.Based on Cartier’s journal entry on page 36, what
suggests that the Mi’kmaq had traded before? (3pts)
With whom do you think they might have traded? (1 pt)
2.How did the Haudenosaunee help Cartier and his
men? (1 pt)
3.Why did Cartier take the natives back to Europe in
1536? (2 pts)
4.How did Cartier fail as an explorer? How did he
succeed? (2 pts)

50. Brainstorm
Discuss with the person beside you:
How would you feel if strangers came to
your school, raised a flag and claimed
the school for themselves?
How would the newcomers describe
their actions?
How would you respond to such an event?

51. Cartier and Donnacona
The Haudenosaunee had lived in the
Great Lakes – St. Lawrence lowlands
for as long as anyone can remember.
They controlled travel along the river
and governed the surrounding lands.
However, when Cartier arrived at
Gaspé, he and his men raised a
wooden cross with Vive le Roi de
France! (Long Live the King of France)
across the rop.

52. www.uppercanadahistory.ca

53. Role play
With a partner, role play the encounter between
Cartier and Donnacona as Cartier raised the
cross at Gaspé.
Include why you think Cartier felt justified in raising the
cross and why Donnacona felt justified in objecting.

54. Preparing your role play
1. Make notes: Include a) facts about the
situation/event, b) your character’s perspective, c)
how your character feels and d) how your
character acts (voice, gestures, etc).
2. Dialogue: Decide if you are going to read from a
script or make up the dialogue as you go along.
3. Respect: Remember to be respectful of cultures.

56. France Expands Its Empire
Monopoly: When only one company or group is
allowed to sell or trade a product in a certain area.

57. France Expands Its Empire
Jacques Cartier’s settlement failed but the French
did not completely forget about North America;
 Fishing fleets still returned to North America.
 Fur traders still came to trade with First Nations
trappers.
France began to build North American colonies at
Acadia and Québec.

58. The French Return
By the early 1600’s, the demand for
furs in Europe was growing.
King Louis XIII wanted to be the
most powerful ruler in Europe and
needed to expand France’s colonial
empire to do so.
The French king, Louis XIII, decided
that France should build a colony in
North America. That way they would
have access to the abundant supply
of furs.

59. The French Return
Resources from the colonies would also
give France a military advantage.
The king realised that building a colony
would be very expensive for him to
build and support.
He decided to let someone else pay for
it.
The king granted a trade monopoly to a
group of merchants.

60. The French Return
A trade monopoly, NOT
This meant that only merchants within the group
holding the monopoly would be allowed to trade for
furs in the colony.
In return, the merchants agreed to build settlements
in North America and find French citizens to live in
them.

61. The French in Acadia
In 1604, a French noble named Pierre
de Monts received a monopoly. He
sailed to North America to set up a
colony.
He took a map-maker and explorer
named Samuel de Champlain with him.
In the spring of 1605, de Monts
established a settlement at Port Royal
on the Bay of Fundy.
The French called the area Acadia.

62. The French in Acadia
The Mi’kmaq were already living on this land.
How do you think they reacted to the
newcomers?
A)They didn’t object because they would be able to
trade with them.
B)They were afraid of them and avoided them.
C)They wanted them off their land and started
destroying their property.
D)They wanted them off their land and started a war!

63. The French in Acadia
At first, the Mi’kmaq who lived there did not object
to the newcomers.
The French did not interfere with their hunting and
fishing activities, and the Mi’kmaq welcomed the
chance to trade their furs for metal goods and
blankets.
The Mi’kmaq were willing to share the land.

64. The French in Acadia
In time, more and more French people came to
Acadia.
Although life here was hard, it was no harder
than it had been back in France. Acadia offered
poor farmers a new start.
These colonists spread out
along the shores of the
Bay of Fundy.

65. The French in Acadia
They survived through farming, fishing, and
hunting.
They formed a unique community and culture.

66. The Founding of Québec
Port Royal was a long way from
the centre of the fur trade, so
de Monts and Champlain
decided to move to the St.
Lawrence River.
They chose a site near
Stadacona, where Jacques
Cartier had built a fort many
years earlier.
The French colonists called
their settlement Québec.

67. The Founding of Québec
It was an ideal place to trade furs, but living
conditions were far from ideal.
During their first winter, 20 of the 28 newcomers
died due to the weather and lack of food.

68. Questions
France Expands Its Empire (pg 39-42)
5) What are the three main benefits of France building
more colonies in North America? (3)
6) Describe Acadia. Include:
a) Who founded it (2)
b) Where it was located (1)
c) How the Mi’kmaq felt about the settlers (2)
d) Who the “Acadians” were (1 pt)
7) Why did the French colonists choose Quebec’s
location? How did things work out for them? (2)

69. Exploring Deeper into the Continent
Coureur de bois: A Canadian trader
(“runner of the woods”) who paddled on
long journeys into the wilderness to trade for
furs with the First Nations.
Métis: People of mixed First Nations and
European ancestry.

70. Exploring Deeper into the Continent
Aside from the official
explorers, the first people to
leave the settlements of New
France and begin roaming
the countryside were the
coureurs de bois.

71. The Coureurs de Bois
They were a unique group of adventurers.
They lived for long periods of time with the
First Nations.
Many married First Nations women, and
became parents to the Métis.
They learned to speak the First Nations’
languages and how to build birch bark
canoes.
They also learned many other survival
skills.

72. The Coureurs de Bois
Why do you think the job of a
Coureur de Bois was
desired by many French
men?

73. The Coureurs de Bois
Adventure!
Freedom!
Money!

74. The Coureurs de Bois
Their main interest was fur trapping, but
they also acted as guides and interpreters
for the French traders.
In this way, they were responsible for much
of the early European exploration of the
continent.

75. Étienne Brûlé
In 1610, the French and
Wendat agreed to a cultural
exchange.
Brûlé went to live with the
Wendat, and a Wendat man
named Savignon went to live
in France.
What do you think Brûlé gained
from living among the Wendat?
What do you think Savignon
gained from living in France?

76. Étienne Brûlé
Brûlé gained an appreciation
for the Wendat way of life,
learned their language and
practised their customs. He
travelled with the Wendat
and came to know their
territory.
He was the first European to
travel up the Ottawa River
into Georgian Bay.

77. Étienne Brûlé
Savignon learned to speak
French but was eager to
return to North America.
When he returned he did
not describe France as a
good place:
 Children were treated badly.
 Beggars were living in the
streets, arguing loudly with one
another.

78. Pierre Radisson and the Sieur des
Groseilliers
Radisson came to New France
in 1650 as a boy and lived for
two years among the Mohawk
as a teenager before returning
to Québec.
While living with the Mohawk
he learned to speak their
language and survive in the
woods.
It was only natural that he
become a coureur de bois.

79. Pierre Radisson and the Sieur des
Groseilliers
In 1659, he joined des Groseilliers on a
trading trip deep into the Lake Superior.
No Europeans had ever been there
before.
How do you think the First Nations treated Radisson
and des Groseilliers?

80. Pierre Radisson and the Sieur des
Groseilliers
Everywhere they went, they were
welcomed by the First Nations.
As they travelled their knowledge of the
fur country grew. They also gave French
names to some of the settlements, lakes,
rivers and mountains they encountered.
What were they doing when they did this?

81. Pierre Radisson and the Sieur des
Groseilliers
Everywhere they went, they were
welcomed by the First Nations.
As they travelled their knowledge of the
fur country grew. They also gave French
names to some of the settlements, lakes,
rivers and mountains they encountered.
They were claiming the land for France.
What were they doing when they did this?

82. Pierre Radisson and the Sieur des
Groseilliers
In 1670, they travelled to Hudson Bay
because the First Nations people had told
them it was rich in fur-bearing animals.
Later that year The Hudson Bay Company
was founded as a result of their
accomplishments.

83. Economy and Government in New France
King Louis XIV: King of France also known as the
“Sun King” because he was all powerful. He was
so forceful in acquiring colonies that other
countries of Europe united against him.
Sovereign Council: A government with three
officials: a governor, an intendant, and a bishop,
set up by King Louis XIV to govern the colony of
New France.

84. Definitions contd.
Habitants: A Francophone farmer of New France.
Jesuits: An order of missionaries who came to
North America to convert First Nations peoples to
the Catholic religion.
Canadien(ne): A Francophone descendent of the
settlers of New France living anywhere in North
America, including the West (in use until about the
First World War).
Seigneurial System: A system based on nobles (or
seigneurs) who rented land to farmers (or habitants).

85. The Royal Takeover
As a colony, New France depended on France for its
survival.
France provided: Colonists, supplies and military
protection
New France supplied: Resources such as furs and
fish
The colony of New France made France richer and
more powerful.

86. The Royal Takeover
In 1663, King Louis XIV took
control of the colony from
the merchants.

87. The Royal Takeover
He established a Sovereign Council to govern the
colony.

88. The Sovereign Council
Governor Intendant Bishop
•The most powerful
member of the S.C.
•The King’s
representative.
•Took charge of the
defence of the
colony and its
relationships with
allies and enemies.
•In charge of the
day-to-day affairs
of the colony.
•Supervised courts
and made sure the
colonists were
looked after.
•Managed the
economy ($).
•The head of the
church.
•Leading role in
politics.

89. The Sovereign Council
The royal government paid the colony’s expenses.
 The government of New France was all powerful and
the colonists had to follow the rules and laws
established by the Sovereign Council.
The courts received complaints from the colonists but
overall, the people enjoyed greater freedom in New
France.

90. The Catholic Church
Religion had an important place in the lives of
Europeans.
Priests, nuns, and missionaries who went to New
France helped build the colony. They held religious
services, taught schools, ran hospitals and cared for
the poor.
The colonists supported the church by donating a
portion of their income, called a tithe.

91. The Catholic Church
What was the #1 goal of the Catholic Church?

92. The Catholic Church
The most important goal of the
church was to spread the Catholic
faith.
The missionaries came to New
France to convert the First Nations
peoples to their religion.
What was the #1 goal of the Catholic Church?

93. The Catholic Church
The missionaries travelled into the
interior of the continent.
As they travelled they wrote
accounts of their travels and
experiences. Many of these writing
have survived through the
centuries and are important
historical documents.

94. The Economy of New France
How did New France make money?

95. The Economy of New France
The fur trade and farming.
How did New France make money?

96. The social structure was based on a Seigneurial
System.
1. The king gave large tracts of land along the St.Lawrence to
the nobles aka seigneurs.
2. Each seigneur had to find colonists aka habitants to settle
the land. These habitants rented strips of land and set up
farms.
3. Seigneurs and habitants had duties which were protected
by law.
 Habitants had to give a portion of their crop and pay
other fees to the seigneur.
 The seigneur had to build a church and mill on his land.
The Economy of New France

97. The king knew the
Seigneural System would
help populate New France.
If the seigneur did not find
tenants to farm is land, he
would not make any money.
The Economy of New France

98. Questions
Please complete the “Royal Takeover” and “Catholic
Church” sheets in your Chapter 2 booklet.

99. Populating the Colony
 Fille du Roi: The women known as the “king’s
daughters” who were sent to New France to
become wives.

100. Key Characteristics of the Catholic Church
in New France
Class Notes:
The bishop led the church.
The church operated the schools and hospitals.
The church tried to convert First Nations peoples.
Missionaries travelled deep into the interior of the
continent.
Important historical information was provided
through journals and diaries.

101. Populating the Colony
In the early days, New France was simply a place for
trading furs run by merchants.
They had little interest in building settlements.
Few people wanted to move there, and the colony
failed to prosper.
The Population of New France (pg 45)

102. Brainstorm
Why was it so difficult for New France’s
population to grow?

103. Nobody wanted to leave France to live there.
Death and disease
There were hardly any WOMEN!
What do you see as the biggest
problem?
Populating the Colony

104. Les Filles du Roi
Between 1665 and
1673, the King
sent approximately
900 single young
women and girls to
New France to
become wives.
How would you feel if you were one of these girls
torn away from your family to marry a strange
man and live in the New World?

105. Payment – A Wedding Gift
When they married, the king gave them:
1 Cow
1 Ox
2 Chickens
2 Pigs
Salt Beef
A purse of money

106. Women in New France
Women worked hard alongside their husbands in the
fields.
They cared for their homes and children and helped
manage the family finances.
Girls in New France received a better education than
they would have in France.
Within 14 years, the colony’s population grew from
3200 to 10 000.
These 10 000 colonists are the original Canadiens.

107. “I will or will not marry you!”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting
married in New France?
Advantages Disadvantages
• Gifts from the King
• Women would receive an
education
• Men would receive help on
their farm
• Companionship
• Women had to do hard
labour
• Taken away to a strange
new world
• You wouldn’t know who
you were marrying.
• Disease and Death.