The French in North AmericaAmerican Pageant ch6 ~ Melissa Carter

Huguenots French Protestants being

persecuted for their religious beliefs.

1598- Edict of Nantes- granted limited tolerance of the Protestant faith in France.

French exploration of North AmericaEstablishment of Quebec in 1608Exploration of the St. Lawrence

RiverExploration of the Mississippi

RiverTraveled across the continent in

search of beaver

French ExplorersSamuel de

Champlain- St. Lawrence River

Robert de LaSalle- Mississippi River

FORT QUEBEC

Growth of New FranceVery slow…..WHY?Lacked reason to migrate

◦French landowners vs. displaced English

◦Huguenots would not find refuge ◦Little, to no economic benefit

Coureurs de bois“runners of the woods”Hunters and trappersRough men who went deep into

the continent in search of beaver for the fur trade

Interaction with Native American◦Trade◦Worked together◦Loss of Indians due to disease

FRENCH FUR TRADING MAP

French & Indian Interaction“frontier of inclusion” Much less violent- New France a

series of small forts and towns. Most French were wanderers – relied upon hunting, trapping and fishing. (No land encroachment)

Jesuits- Catholic missionaries that often became a part of a tribe for several months to years.

Intermarriage◦Few European women, more Indian

women available◦Indian women knew the tasks

required of fur preparation◦Economic benefits for both◦Creation of a new society- metis

(blend of European and Indian)◦Metis- “children of the fur trade”