Economic And Social Changes In New France During The Period 1663-1876

New France during the period 1663-1760 began to establish itself not just as a territorial claim but as a colony . This process meant population growth; moreover it also required the establishment of structure within the colony. Leadership of the colony had to shape the economic, political and social institutions. In New France the leadership was attained from the economic power of landholding and fur trading which was derived from the crowns political will. While the clergy held social influence they did not hold sufficient economic and political power to be the real leaders of New France.

Economic advantage was a prime reason for expansion; as a result New France was expected to produce furs, minerals & timber for France to replace items

In particular France under Louis XIV was an absolute monarchy defined by “L’état c’est moi” from which all authority flowed. For instance the political appointment by the crown of Colbert as the minister of the marine marked the first time an official of the church was not selected . This marked a shift from the church providing the structure of the government in the colony. Furthermore the creation of the Intendant position to supervise land grants and the seigneurial system also served as providing more political balance to the colony that was appointed by the crown and not the church. To further the political control of the church by the crown during this time frame it also granted subsidies to the church while opposing the belief that the church held political authority . For this reason during the reign of Luis XIV it was the king who controlled the nomination of church officials and was the head of the French church . This led to reduced powers of the bishop in the political life of the colony, including selecting council members while they still held influence over public policy on issues such as morality. For instance Colbert as the minister marine also created the legal code based on France’s system that forms the base of the Civil Code in Quebec . It was clear that despite the distance the crown or its

Especially in key areas such as hospitals, charity and education this influence continued long beyond the control of France in any other area of the colony. In terms of other areas of social influence the church often struggled to establish the moral tone that they wished to see for the colony. They felt that the habitants had and in particular women “more liberties” than would have been allowed in France. Mass was only heard 4 times a year by ¾ of the habitants, though in rural areas the Cure would take on leadership roles in solving disputes . Conversely marriage was an area of social influence that the crown maintained early control of by providing “Filles de Roi” as the colony grew this became unnecessary. Socially the people of New France were more independent than similar classes would have been in France at the same