SS9 – Crossroads
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- Arrival3 – The Royal Province of New France
The Royal Province of New France
When Champlain died in 1635 only a few French lived in New
France, but by 1661 the King of France was determined to
establish a strong mercantile colony.
Mercantilism essentially meant that a colonial or mother
country should accumulate as much wealth as possible by
taking raw materials from its colonies, and then producing
finished products that it can either sell back to the colony or
to other countries for a profit.
Canada was rich in raw materials like fish, timber and some
finished products like barrels.
The King sent over fresh troops to “deal with” the Iroquois
and established a royal gov’t to “deal with” the local settlers.
Catholic nuns and priests followed and used the new colony to
help them convert the local Native peoples to Christianity.
New France’s first governor, Frontenac, fought with both the
Church and the Native population in his attempt to improve
the colony of New France.
SS9 – Crossroads
- Arrival3 – The Royal Province of New France
The Royal Province of New France
Directions: Read pages 236-239 in your text Crossroads – A Meeting of Nations.
1. On a separate piece of paper, provide definitions for the following terms;
raw materials:natural sources…or resources…such as trees or furry animals
finished product: a product that has been manufactured
tannery:a place where hides are converted into leather
staves: the narrow stips of wood in barrel
2. On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions using COMPLETE
SENTENCES;
a) In your own words, describe why the King of France wanted to expand his presence in
North America. What did he wish to gain? (2 mks for quality of thought and inclusion of
details)
They wanted to make the colony strong and profitable. France needed the wood from Canada
to make barrels to pick up sugar from the West Indies. This is part of the Mercantilism that
was in effect at the time.
b) Describe the three main participants in the government of the colony of New France.
Be sure to name all three major titles and list what they were responsible for. (2 mks
for completion)



Governor..to represtne the king of France, supervise defence and establish treaties
with the Natives.
Intendant worulgovern the local people, chief administrator
Bishop to be responsible for religious affairs and to convert the Natives to
Christianity.
c) Identify and describe New France’s first “intendant”. Be sure to provide an example as
to what he did for New France. (2 mks for identification and description)
Jean Talon. He recruited women to marry the French soldiers. They were known as the filles
du roi or the king’s daughters. He also established lumber mills, a tannery, a brewery, ships.
Talon tried to make the colony stronger and more self-sufficient.
d) Identify and describe New France’s first “governor”. Be sure to provide an example as
to what he did for New France. (2 mks for identification and description)
Frontenac was the first governor. He tried to expand the boundaries of the empire. The tried
to get more furs. He disliked the Jesuits because they didn’t want him to use alcohol in the
trade with the Indians. He ended up leading the fight against the Iroquois.
3. In the space provide opposite draw a diagram that would help
describe the role of mercantilism in colonialism.
You may have to read the feature found on page 237 of your text Crossroads.
You will be marked out of 5 for the clarity of your explanation/diagram and
out of 5 for quality of work, for a
Total of 10 Marks.
Total Marks: ____/ 22