New France

French Canadian society was bonded by four primary factors: government, religion, social structure, and settlement pattern. If the culture of New France were threatened by British rule then new France would face many serious problems leading up to the disintegration of the French Canadian culture.

The governing system of New France was known as the Royal Government. The Royal Government was set up during Europe's "age of absolutism." During this time in Europe the idea behind government was that the monarch had final authority in all matters. Many kings, including Louis XIV, claimed to rule by

" divine right," and only had to answer to God. Democracy did not exist in those days, and neither did the idea that people had any basic rights nor an active voice in how the government was run.

Since New France was a colony ruled by France, it too, had to follow the instructions from the king in Paris. Since the colony was so far away from France, the governor had to decide many important things. He was often responsible for protecting the colony and handling relations with the Indians and the English colonies. The Bishop of Quebec was responsible for providing religious leadership and organizing missionary work among the Indian peo

Under British rule they would seriously affect the government of New France. The British would be quite eager to set up its own government system. To spread its influence the British government would ban French Canadians from running for office. Without someone in the government to speak up for the French Canadians they would transform the culture of New France into that of the British.

We in the twentieth century have already witnessed many effects of British rule over the French. It has led to The French Canadians taking desperate measures to regain their sense of identity, such as last year's referendum, and the threat of Quebec becoming independent. Many French Canadians are still resentful toward the British, with good reason, and will continue to until things change.

Settlement in New France did not progress very quickly. The fur trade did not encourage a large population growth, and many people were reluctant to leave France for New France because of the unfavourable climate and economic opportunity.

The theory behind governing New France was that the king in Paris would make a decision, put it into writing, and have the instructions sent to the colony in the spring of that year. From there the governor would put the orders into effect.

By the time New France was settled the feudal system in Europe had almost disappeared. The colony was introduced to the seigneurial system, which still had the characteristic relationships between upper and lower classes of the feudal system. The king gave land grants to people of influence,