| What were the two opposing views or concepts on
the colonization of New France?
The two opposing views centered around whether New France should
develop as a colony based on settlement or as a colony
based on the exploitation of the fur trade.
Characteristics of a colony based
on settlement
-
Its purpose was to create a society in New France similar to that in
France through settlement.
-
To have such a colony it would need to send to New France farmers, priests,
soldiers, administrators, women, and artisans.
-
The colonizers wanted a diversified economy not an economy based solely
on the exploitation of the fur trade.
-
This concept of colonization had the support of the King, religious
orders and colonizers.
Characteristics of a colony based
on the fur trade
 |
-
Its purpose was to exploit the fur trade for the benefit of merchants
and fur trading monopoly companies such as the Company of 100 Associates.
Basically, they wanted New France to be a fur-trading outpost.
-
To have such a colony it would need mainly men meaning merchants, coureurs
de bois, independent traders and company agents. Settlers were not
welcome as they were expensive to bring over and they could act as competitors
in the fur trade.
-
The fur traders only wanted to develop and exploit the fur trade since
it did not require a large initial investment and it was very profitable.
-
This type of colony had the support of the fur trading companies, fur
traders and merchants.
|
Throughout most of New France's history, despite some attempts
at settlement, the colony of New France was based on the exploitation
of the fur trade. A major factor behind this was the
belief in the economic theory of mercantilism.
Do the following questions on concepts of colonization. |