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Is New France better described as a fragment of the old world or a product of the new?

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Introduction

The French created separate colonies at three locations: Ile Royale (now Cape Breton Island), Canada, and Louisiana. These colonies, as well as the French fur trading presence in the continental interior, are collectively known as New France.

But could you regard New France as a fragment of the old world or a product of the new world? Or is there a different context that historians should place New France in?

Historiography

Francis Parkman – New France oppressed by government

W.J. Eccles – government supported all levels of society

Allan Greer – New France feudal

Theories

Allan Greer argues that New France was “a dynamic zone of contact and colonization.” Greer adds that “New France consisted of a narrow area of intense European occupation and the networks … that connected the St Lawrence settlements with the vast hinterland occupied and controlled by dozens of Indigenous nations.”

Controversies

The debate over New France has been Eurocentric and nation-building based.

But what if New France was placed in a different context, perhaps a transnational, “Atlantic history” perspective.

Sources and methods

Approach of an Atlantic history would draw connections between old and new worlds, a dynamic interchange.

Events and incidents

Relationship between French settlers and First Nations.  Religious conversion, but also part of colonization was land tenure.

Was land tenure about socio-economic survival in the New World?

The status of women in New France, and their contribution to colonial society (preparing food, making clothes, nurturing families), saw them functioning differently than in France (although no woman served as governor, was a judge, or held high ranking position in society).

Is this a case of adapting to the new world.

Conclusion

Need to understand New France in a different context than a fragment of the old world or a product of the new. Historians need to analyze New France through a transnational lens, wide in scope, incorporating the Atlantic and contact with First Nations.

 


Written by mannis2

August 5th, 2011 at 8:07 pm

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