The French in North AmericaBy Tiffany JacobsHIST 140 (#50607)

American Colonies 5 - Canada & Iroquoia 1500-1660 French were motivated by the fur trade Fur trade created mutual dependency

Between French & Indians This is a controversial issue Trading led to irreversible damage to both Some think it was only damaging to

natives

American Colonies 5 - Canada & Iroquoia French & other Europeans trade

Metals Cloth Alcohol Colored, glass beads

Indians trade Bright, shiny materials (Manitou) Seashells (wampum) Made weapons, tools, and jewelry with items they

received in trade for furs

American Colonies 5 - Canada & Iroquoia The Five Nation Iroquois

Hunters, gatherers, developers of horticulture

Trapped beaver, fox, otter, lynx & martin Dutch introduced them to firearms

Changed warfare Indians had strong desire for firearms

Small pox and measles killed over 50% of the Iroquois population between 1633 & 1635

“Mourning Wars” further devastated population

American Colonies 5 - Canada & Iroquoia “Mourning Wars”

Vicious cycle of loss Condolence ritual where a captive was taken

from another tribe Captives were tortured and then either

adopted into family or burned to death Chief prophet, Deganawida, preached peace

& unity and an end to these rituals The ongoing internal violence threatened

the five nations

American Colonies 16 - French America 1650-1750 French were allied with Indians in the

north The alliances were established as a

result of the fur trade French used these alliances with Indians

to protect Canada & keep British at bay

American Colonies 16 - French America French preferred their homeland

French were less intrigued with the New World

Despite the hardships in France, many preferred the known to the unknown

Short growing season and harsh weather were a deterrent too

Many who did emigrate to New France considerably enhanced their standard of living

American Colonies 16 - French America After 1700, the prosperity increased

near St. Lawrence River valley Growing population Peace with the Iroquois after a bloody

defeat for the Upper Country Usable farmland tripled Mission Indians provided protection from

British French intermarried with natives

American Colonies 16 - French America French wanted to link Canada to Gulf

Established a series of fortified trading posts (fur trade)

Used Indians to secure and maintain posts French became experts at negotiating

agreements with natives They used gifts and native rituals to win

them over Did not fight the Indians or try to enslave

them