THE SOCIETY OF NEW FRANCEDerek, Rachel, Hwayeon, Archan, Christina, Krystine

WAS THERE MORE FREEDOM FOR THE CITIZENS OF NEW

FRANCE?

SOCIETY OF NEW FRANCE: BEGINNING Individuals did not have the right to vote for

the governor of the colony There was no free press in the colony Citizens had the responsibility of being

“loyal citizens,” but without many rights

Administrators were appointed by the King and were expected to keep order, along with the military establishment and Seigneurs

SOCIETY OF NEW FRANCE Old French traditions changed in New

France Commoners could rise to the status of

Seigneurs or military leaders The structure of New

France changed when people from different regions of France came together

FOR EXAMPLE: In New France, a peasant would’ve grown

up in the same village or region and lived there for all their life. They would be very familiar with the traditions and cultural values of that region.

In New France, habitants came from different regions, therefore they would have to become accustomed to different ways of living.

SOCIETY OF NEW FRANCE The society of New France was very

different from the one in France There were Aboriginal influences,

particularly with the coureurs de bois and voyageurs, who learned about the Aboriginal traditions of freedom and equality

HIERARCHY OF THE CHURCH The French Catholic Church was the

most dominant force in early New France

In the early days, only Catholics could be settlers, hold public offices, and collect tithes

“as long as you do what you’re told, you’ll be taken care of...” – teachings of Catholic Church

Later on, a commoner could rise to the status of a bishop in the Catholic Church

WHAT IS THE SEIGNEURAL SYSTEM? Was introduced to New France in 1672 Semi-feudal system of land distribution Land was distributed in strips

called seigneuries Each piece of land belonged

to the King of France and wasmaintained by a Seigneur

Habitants paid taxes and wererequired to work for the Seigneur at least 3 times a year

THE UPSIDES AND DRAWBACKS

• Women could become seigneurs

• Aboriginal influences that stressed freedom and equality

• People could move up in status (i.e.: commoners could become military officers)

• More freedom and less restrictive than life in France

•Structures changed to allow people from different regions to live together

• The church and the King had major influence on most people in New France

• People had to pay taxes and tithes

• They had to work for the seigneurs who owned the land that they lived on

• “do what you’re told and we’ll take care of you” – Catholic Church

• No right to vote for governors

• No free press

Upsides Downsides

THE END