Native-French Relations in New France

• Lucky that Iroquois had retreated from St. Lawrence Valley by 1608– Huron, Mikmaqs, Montagnais

• Company of New France 1608-1663 – Focus on Beaver Fur Trade

• The farther North, the better fur• Natives trap, process, and transport

– High Profits

New France:

1608-1760: 27,000

Importance of the 1660s, “Diplomatic Immunity,”

métis

British Colonies:

1607-1760: 1,000,000

Immigration

Dutch map of the New Netherland area (circa 1650)

Competition and the Environment

Beaver Wars (1633-1701): Iroquois attempt to dominate the fur trade

• 1633-1645: Conflict a Draw as Iroquois fight for Huron hunting grounds

• 1645-1647: Short Peace of 2 years– Iroquois still cut out of trade

• 1647-1653: Iroquois Begin another conflict and Prevail– Huron outgunned and annihilated– Iroquois win trading rights at Montreal

• 1653-1658: Peace lasts 5 short years– Iroquois still cut out of fur trade by Ottawa and

attack French in 1658

• 1658-1667: French Prevail– Smallpox, French troops, and Ottawa &

Canadian militia victories lead to French success

Beaver Wars

• 1667-1680: Long period of Peace– French Fur Trade Expands

further West and South– Jesuits sent amongst the

Mohawk and win important allies

– New Netherland becomes New York

• 1680-1701: French Prevail– Iroquois attack an over-

extended France in 1680• Guerilla tactics

• 1701: The Grand Settlement

Canadian militia