Economy Under the French
Regime
1608-1760
Vocabulary
 Mercantilism – An economic theory that bases a
nation’s prosperity on the accumulation of gold and
silver
 Trading post colony – A post set up in a territory
with the aim of exploiting its resources
 Concession – A contract that gave an individual or a
company the exclusive control of a resource in a
territory belonging to the state.
Economic Development and Territorial
Expansion
 French Mercantilism meant that New France
provided resources to France so they could turn
them into finished products for export.
 New France at first was just a trading post colony
run by trading companies that were given
monopolies over resources like fur.
 Permanent settlements at Port Royal (1604) and
Quebec City (1608) were made to help increase the
fur trade.
Economic Development and Territorial
Expansion (cont)
 In 1663, King Louis XIV got rid of the company held
monopolies and put control of the economic
development of New France under the Intendant as
part of the Royal Government.
 From 1663-1755, France explores further into North
America and expands its territory (Ex: Great Lakes,
Ohio Valley, Louisiana)
 The French make political and trade alliance with
Aboriginals in order to obtain furs.
Economic Development and Territorial
Expansion (cont)
 The English, France’s main competitor in the fur
trade, established the Hudson’s Bay Company in
1670 to trade for furs with Aboriginals.