The Society of New France, an Overview of Life in the New World

The Society of New France, An Overview of Life in the New World

There were many early expeditions from Europe in search of a Northwest Passage that would link the Atlantic to the Pacific. These excursions alerted Europeans to the North American continent or as Europeans called it the New World. The New World was rich in resources such as fish and furs. Annual voyages from Europe occurred to reap the benefits of the rich resources. As aspiring as this discovery was, the New World was thought of as being an unforgiving and difficult place to live so few thought of settling here permanently. Eventually economic and political interests inspired Europeans to want to settle in the New World. Overseas colonies were regarded as opportunities to gain political advantage and escape from the European monarchy.

In 1534, France sent Jacques Cartier to the New World to claim land to expand the French colony and search for gold that was believed to be here. After Cartier failed to find the gold and an unsuccessful attempt at colonization, France lost interest in the New World settlement. In 1600 the demand for fur increased so much that France regained its interest in North America. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded France’s first permanent Canadian colony on the north shores of the St. Lawrence. Quebec was a strategic location choice for the foundation of France’s new colony. The advantages of being located in Quebec included natural defenses, such as towering cliffs, proximity of the land to the Native peoples, who were an important part in the fur trade industry and allowed easy access for economic trade. Most people lived near the water so they could grow crops and have access for their personal use. The river allowed for transportation by canoes making trading easier and also provided food supply. Champlain met the Hurons, Algonquin and Innu after arriving. He quickly setup an alliance with them, in return they would only trade furs with French not the English.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a vast majority of North America was under the control and influence of the French. At the peak, New France extended from Acadia in the east to the Mississippi River basin in the west, in the north from Hudson’s Bay to Louisiana in the south. The majority of the population of New France resided in Canada bordering the St. Lawrence River between Quebec and Montreal. Economically to be successful in the fur trade industry you had a better option for survival by living in this area.

It was difficult for the population to grow in the New World. The society in general was made up of men more than women. Jean Talon played a vital role in establishing the population in New France. He came up with the idea of le Filles du roi, bringing more women from France to marry off. In order to sustain and increase the new economy, the population needed to increase but that could not be done with bachelors. Le Filles du roi were orphans, widows or young women looking for a better life. The crown covered their transportation and settlement costs if they would come settle in New France.

By the eighteenth century much of the Canadian population in New France was colonial born. Although France and New France were closely linked through church, state and economic interests, a new culture was arising, different and distinctively its own. In New France over 80 percent of the population lived in rural areas, the remaining 20 percent lived in urban centers. In urban centres, much of their fortunes were influenced by the trans-Atlantic trade. For the rural population, they had a closer relationship with the land, living and working off the land. In France, the rights to property was based on the seigneurial system, where the crown owned all the land. The governor on behalf of the king, granted land to the seigneurs in return for a promise to find settlers to clear and farm the land. In the beginnings of New France it was difficult to find enough people to clear land and farm it. Farming was crucial to keep New France in existence so a change was made to make it more appealing. These farmers were often referred to as habitants. They were offered fixed rent, security of tenure, housing and large fertile plots providing food for their family. The seigneuries area was large around 50 km squared. The location was often along the St. Lawrence River in close proximity to the three main cities. Fields were long and narrow, so that the families that settled had access to water. The land along the river was moist and good for farming. A large part of the land was used to provide sites for churches, lumber mills, grain mills and common land for social gatherings.

Every member of the family had to work hard to make the farm successful. Families were an important part in the social and economic unit, working to ensure the colony survived. The father was the head of the household, controlling all aspects of family life, his wife’s possessions and the children. The average age of marriage in New France was much younger than in France, usually around age 20 people would marry. Families in New France were large, averaging seven or eight children. On average, 25 percent of children born