The New France Period

Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River in 1534, and in 1535 visited the Indian villages of Stadacona (site of Quebec City) and Hochelaga (Montreal). However it was not until 1608 that another French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, established the settlement named Quebec. One of the first permanent settlements in Canada, Quebec became the base from which the French built New France, a vast colonial empire that extended to the Gulf of Mexico.

At first the French were interested in New France only as a source of furs. Champlain, however, envisioned the creation of communities modeled on those in France. He hoped for settlers who would cultivate the land and thus lay the foundation for true colonies. Champlain’s hopes were realized only slowly. After nearly 20 years, Quebec had fewer than 100 French inhabitants.

In 1627 Cardinal Richelieu, Louis XIII’s chief minister of state, helped form the Company of 100 Associates, which agreed to bring 4,000 settlers in 15 years. This program was interrupted in 1629, however, when Quebec was captured by the English. They held it until Richelieu persuaded England to restore Quebec to France in 1632 as part of a general treaty between the two nations. Trois-Rivieres was founded in 1634. When Champlain died in 1635, there were fewer than 2,500 French persons in all New France. Montreal was established in 1642, but for many years was no more than a trading station.

After New France became a royal colony in 1663, there was great territorial growth, with the colony stretching from Acadia (Nova Scotia) westward to Lake Superior and down the Mississippi valley to the Gulf of Mexico. Quebec City was the capital. The colony operated under French laws and customs, with the Roman Catholic Church holding important rights and powers.

A semi-feudal land system was introduced in the St. Lawrence valley. Large tracts were granted to a few persons called seigneurs. The seigneurs in turn granted smaller tracts to settlers who paid annual dues in money or produce. This land system continued in the province until 1854. A governor, an intendant (superintendent of financial and related matters), and a sovereign council governed New France. All were appointed by the king. The bishop of Quebec, who was the primate of New France, was a member of the sovereign council.

Rivalry between British and French settlers and traders in North America resulted in the French and Indian war, which became part of a general European conflict, the Seven Years’ War. In 1759 British forces under General James Wolfe defeated French forces under General Montcalm and Quebec fell to the British. Montreal surrendered to the British soon after. By the Treaty of Paris in 1763, France ceded all of New France to Great Britain.