1. The French in North AmericaChristina VerhoevenHistory 140Professor Arguello

2. American Colonies-5Canada and Iroquoia In order to avoid conflicts with the dominating Spaniards in the south, the French founded settlements in North America. During the 16th century, the French developed alliances with the Algonquian peoples in the North. By forging this alliance with the Algonquians, the French were now enemies of the Five Nation Iroquois.

3. American Colonies-5Canada and Iroquoia The Fur Trade Due to overhunting, furs were very scarce in Europe. The Indians were interested in trading furs for beads, metals, other shiny objects and alcohol. To meet the demand of trade, Indians depleted the local beaver population, and frequently instigated fighting in other territories for control of the precious furs.

4. American Colonies-5Canada and Iroquoia The Five Nations The Dutch Trade The Iroquois were expert farmers and had the capability to sustain and accommodate a large amount of people, more so than the Montagnais and Algonkin. The Iroquois often conducted “mourning wars” where they would torture their captives. All of the villagers would take turns beating, stabbing, torching, and branding their victims. In 1609, Henry Hudson established a fur trade with the Mohawks. The Dutch had better quality and lower priced goods than the French. Fort Orange was a year long trading post established by the Dutch where they often supplied the Indians with guns. Supplied with new guns, the Iroquois were able to successfully raid other nations to the north.

5. American Colonies-5Canada and Iroquoia Jesuits The French were not only interested in trading furs, they were also looking to convert the Indians to Catholicism. Unlike their Protestant rivals, the Jesuits did not always convert the Indians by means of force. Instead, they learned the native languages and embedded themselves into the “savages” culture.

6. American Colonies-16French America The French were the British colonies greatest rivals during the 17th century. As Spanish power was declining in Florida, the French founded the Louisiana colony. The French had established good trade relations with the Indians, but they had growing frustrations when they could not control the natives.

7. American Colonies-16French America Emigrants In 1663 the crown took over the Company of New France so they could start populating the colonies. Although the crown financed many of the emigrants voyages, many of them did not stay in Canada. Most of the French emigrants did not want to endure the harsh climate, and unfavorable agricultural conditions in Canada.

8. American Colonies-16French America Opportunity Louisiana The French peasants that settled in Canada were, in fact, able to improve their status and standard of living. Many of them could afford horses and other commodities that were too expensive back home. Unlike English common law, women were treated as equal economic partners to their husbands. Louisiana was named after King Louis XIV. The Company of the Indies tried to stimulate economic growth and emigration in Louisiana from 1717-1730. The majority of the inhabitants were African slaves. Louisiana did not have a valuable crop to export and many efforts on behalf of The Company of the Indies failed.

9. American Colonies-16French America Dependence French America was an economic failure. It was too expensive to maintain forts and pacify the Indians with presents . However, the Indians had become dependent upon French trade for clothes, guns and other metals.. In order to prevent the Indians from trading with British colonists, the French often sold their goods below market value.