STRUCTURE OF COLONIAL SOCIETYSTRUCTURE OF COLONIAL SOCIETY(Module 2 Section II #1)(Module 2 Section II #1)

Internal and External PoliticalInternal and External Political Structures of Colonial Life Structures of Colonial Life

Royal GovernmentRoyal Government

Recap and OutlineRecap and Outline

The colony of New France was administered by companies until The colony of New France was administered by companies until 1663. The King of France granted “charters” or monopolies over the 1663. The King of France granted “charters” or monopolies over the fur trade in return for the promise of populating the area.fur trade in return for the promise of populating the area.

Companies discovered that the fur trade was very lucrative and Companies discovered that the fur trade was very lucrative and settlement would impede profit making. Thus, companies did not settlement would impede profit making. Thus, companies did not make an effort to populate their area.make an effort to populate their area.

In 1663, King Louis 14In 1663, King Louis 14thth of France decided to make New France a of France decided to make New France a royal province with the intention of encouraging settlement. He took royal province with the intention of encouraging settlement. He took direct control of the colony canceling the charters given to direct control of the colony canceling the charters given to companies. companies.

He set up a system of “He set up a system of “Royal GovernmentRoyal Government” placing the colony under ” placing the colony under supervision of his supervision of his Minister of MarineMinister of Marine which lasted until the English which lasted until the English conquest in 1760.conquest in 1760.

Major GoalMajor Goal

Build a society which mirrors that of the mother Build a society which mirrors that of the mother country (France).country (France).

Ergo, build internal infrastructure and political Ergo, build internal infrastructure and political institutions similar to those found in France.institutions similar to those found in France.

Great idea….however….the geography and Great idea….however….the geography and landscape are very different compared to that of landscape are very different compared to that of France. Result, a new society was slowly France. Result, a new society was slowly emerging and adapting to its environs. emerging and adapting to its environs.

Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy

The King of France was an absolute monarch. His will The King of France was an absolute monarch. His will was the law.was the law.

King named all officials and the power to recall them at King named all officials and the power to recall them at any time.any time.

King had central decision making powers and people King had central decision making powers and people had no say in how society was run (undemocratic had no say in how society was run (undemocratic system of government).system of government).

All major decisions in New France had to be approved by All major decisions in New France had to be approved by the King in France. Responses and decisions took great the King in France. Responses and decisions took great time as they had to traverse the Atlantic Ocean time as they had to traverse the Atlantic Ocean (sometimes up to 1 year).(sometimes up to 1 year).

Structure of Royal GovernmentStructure of Royal Government

King Louis 14King Louis 14thth appointed a appointed a Minister Of MarineMinister Of Marine who administered the dealing of the colony from who administered the dealing of the colony from France. The minister France. The minister lived in Francelived in France and made and made decisions from Francedecisions from France..

The king also appointed The king also appointed 3 key administrators3 key administrators who represented the crown and the Minister of who represented the crown and the Minister of Marine in Marine in New FranceNew France. They were the . They were the governorgovernor, , the the intendantintendant, and the , and the bishopbishop..

GovernorGovernor

King’s representative in New France King’s representative in New France (highest in France).(highest in France).

Responsible for soldiers and defending the Responsible for soldiers and defending the colony (military issues).colony (military issues).

Responsible for Native affairs and Responsible for Native affairs and dealings with the 13 English colonies.dealings with the 13 English colonies.

IntendantIntendant Chief administrator and most influential.Chief administrator and most influential.

Controlled the budget and collected taxes.Controlled the budget and collected taxes.

Responsible for justice and court system (French civil Responsible for justice and court system (French civil law).law).

Administered the economy and granted seigneuries.Administered the economy and granted seigneuries.

Built roads, set up industries, & organized trade.Built roads, set up industries, & organized trade.

BishopBishop

Appointed by the Pope (Vatican City).Appointed by the Pope (Vatican City).

Administered parish priests and religious orders.Administered parish priests and religious orders.

Responsible for hospitals, schools, and charities.Responsible for hospitals, schools, and charities.

Each parish had a “cure” (parish priest). Each parish had a “cure” (parish priest).

Royal Government StructureRoyal Government Structure

Key FiguresKey FiguresJean Baptiste Colbert (Minister of Marine) Governor Frontenac Jean Baptiste Colbert (Minister of Marine) Governor Frontenac

More PhotosMore Photos

Colbert King Louis 14Colbert King Louis 14 thth of France of France

Royal Government Structure 2Royal Government Structure 2

The 3 key administrators, along with a few The 3 key administrators, along with a few influential citizens formed a influential citizens formed a Sovereign CouncilSovereign Council which served mainly as a court of appeal.which served mainly as a court of appeal.

Each seigneurie had a Each seigneurie had a captain of militiacaptain of militia who who served as rep for the governor and intendant of served as rep for the governor and intendant of the colony. Also, trained censitaires (habitants) the colony. Also, trained censitaires (habitants) to defend New France.to defend New France.

People had no say in major matters. They were People had no say in major matters. They were expected to obey orders. (The expected to obey orders. (The systemsystem and and process were process were undemocraticundemocratic and and paternalisticpaternalistic = = king controlled all “his children”).king controlled all “his children”).

Relationship Between Mother Country (France) Relationship Between Mother Country (France) and Colony (New France)and Colony (New France)

New France was New France was dependentdependent on France for: on France for:

PopulationPopulation (immigration from France) (immigration from France)

EconomicEconomic (France controlled money, imports & exports = (France controlled money, imports & exports = mercantilism)mercantilism)

ArmyArmy (Military decisions & soldiers came from France) (Military decisions & soldiers came from France)

GovernmentGovernment (France made all political decisions) (France made all political decisions)