Chapter 3 Lesson 5 Inquiry 1 (Life)

Because France wanted its share of the riches of the fur trade in New World, Samuel de Champlain founded the settlement of Quebec. He made several trade agreements with the Huron, or Algonquin speaking people.  He sent French explorers to live among the Ouendat to learn their language.  

To encourage the settlement, the king of France sent poor women to be wives of the Canadiens. They were called Les Filles de Roi (daughters of the king).  Hundreds of young women from France sailed to New France to marry male settlers and build families to work on the farms.  The growth of population would ensure the growth and continued existence of the settlement.

While many in the settlement were farmers, several couriers des bois or voyageurs would canoe into the interior of Canada to trade for beaver furs.

In the end, New France was costly to the French, who had to send troops to protect the fur trade. When the hat industry began to die, France lost interest in its colonies in North America. 

To learn more about this painting and why it is famous, view this video

When France and Britain went to war from 1754-1763, (called the Seven Years' War even though it lasted longer than seven years) it involved places all over the world: Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada.  In North America, most of the fighting took place in Acadia, Quebec, and New York. Soldiers were of two groups. The first group was made up of French, Acadians, and their First Nations allies such as the the Hurons or Algonquins and Mi'kmaqs.  The very capable leader of the army was General Montcalm. On the opposing side were the British and their American and First Nations allies. This side was led by General Wolfe, Americans such as George Washington, and the Haudenosaunee such as Joseph Brant. 

The key battle in North America during this war was the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.  This led to the surrender of Quebec to the British.  Some have said this is the war that created Canada, its boundaries, its treaties, and its identity.  

How was the Battle of the Plains of Abraham won in half an hour even though both Generals died?  Watch the video here.  

France turned down the opportunity to keep its Canadian colonies twice. French writers asked why should we keep “a few acres of snow” when we could have sugar? A British writer asked, “what does a few hats signify compared to that luxury, sugar?”

France chose to keep only St. Pierre and Miquelon which were profitable fishing communities on the Grand Banks. It chose a colony in the Caribbean rather than Quebec. Later, Napoleon turned down Britain's offer to return Canada and he sold Louisiana to the United States.

Resources for Inquiry