🏛️ Chapter 3: Canada's History
3.1.4 Royal New France
3 paragraphs · 7 questions
In 1604 the French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain founded the first European settlement north of Florida. They started on St. Croix Island, in what is now Maine, and then moved to Port-Royal in Acadia, today's Nova Scotia. In 1608 Champlain built a fortress on the spot where Québec City now stands. Life was very hard for these colonists. The cold climate was a constant struggle for them.
Key Facts
- 1604: de Monts and Champlain found the first settlement north of Florida
- First on St. Croix Island (now Maine), then Port-Royal in Acadia
- 1608: Champlain builds a fortress at today's Québec City
- Colonists struggled against a harsh climate
Champlain made the colony an ally of the Algonquin, the Montagnais and the Huron. These nations were old enemies of the Iroquois. The Iroquois were a confederation of five First Nations, later six. Because of that alliance, the Iroquois fought the French settlements for about a hundred years. The French and the Iroquois finally made peace in 1701.
Key Facts
- Champlain allied with the Algonquin, Montagnais and Huron
- The Iroquois were a confederation of five, later six, First Nations
- Iroquois fought French settlements for about a century
- France and the Iroquois made peace in 1701
The French and Aboriginal people worked together in a huge fur-trade economy. It was driven by European demand for beaver pelts. Strong leaders built a French empire in North America that stretched from Hudson Bay all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Among the most important were Jean Talon, Bishop Laval and Count Frontenac.
Key Facts
- Fur trade was driven by European demand for beaver pelts
- French and Aboriginal people worked the trade together
- Jean Talon, Bishop Laval and Count Frontenac were outstanding leaders
- French empire reached from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico
Test yourself on this topic
7 practice questions from “Royal New France”, each with the answer explained.
- Where was the first European settlement north of Florida founded in 1604?
- Which two French explorers founded the first European settlement north of Florida in 1604?
- Which nations did Champlain make allies of the French colony?
- In what year did the French and the Iroquois finally make peace?
- Which European demand drove the fur trade shared by the French and Aboriginal people?
- How far did the French Empire in North America stretch at its height?
- In what year did Samuel de Champlain build a fortress at what is now Québec City?
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