What landforms make up New France?
New France, French Nouvelle-France, (1534–1763), the French colonies of continental North America, initially embracing the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Newfoundland, and Acadia (Nova Scotia) but gradually expanding to include much of the Great Lakes region and parts of the trans-Appalachian West.
What was special about New France?
At its peak, the French colony of New France stretched over a vast area from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Louisiana. The French presence was characterized by extensive trade, as well as by recurrent conflicts with the Indigenous peoples, who were established over a wide area that France sought to appropriate.
How did New France use their land?
In the 16th century, the lands were used primarily to draw from the wealth of natural resources such as furs through trade with the various indigenous peoples. In the seventeenth century, successful settlements began in Acadia and in Quebec.
What was the environment like in New France?
In New France there were harsh winters to contend with and often many died of scurvy. Symptoms include swollen, bleeding gums and bluish spots on the skin. and exposure to five months of cold weather. When settlers did come, they faced many hardships.
What did the class structure look like in New France?
Coming from different regions of France, settlers were divided in three social classes: nobility, middle class, and commoners. In fact, almost all were commoners. When arriving in New France, settlers worked in seigneuries (large estates owned by the church or wealthy people).
Why did New France grow slowly?
The colony of New France grew slowly because the French viewed the colony as more of an economic venture than as a place to settle, France didn’t send…
Why was New France so sparsely populated?
Why were France’s North American holdings so sparsely populated? A large number of French colonists had no desire to build towns or raise families. They also included young, single men engaged in what had become New France’s main economic activity, the fur trade.
What was the economy like in New France?
But the fur trade was the real economic driver of New France. The harvesting of furs created wealth, stimulated the exploration of the continent and created alliances with many Aboriginal peoples.
What were habitants in New France?
An independent landowner In 17th- and 18th-century New France, habitants were independent landowners who established homesteads. Their status came with certain privileges and obligations. For example, during the colony’s early years, only habitants had the right to small-scale fur trading.
How was New France divided?
The seigneurial system was the way in which land was divided in New France. These plots of land were divided perpendicular to the St. Lawrence River and other waterways, this allowed for each plot to have access to water which was needed for many daily tasks.
What was the main economic activity in New France?
the fur trade
But the fur trade was the real economic driver of New France. The harvesting of furs created wealth, stimulated the exploration of the continent and created alliances with many Aboriginal peoples.
What was New France’s main economic activity?