Chapter 2, part 3

Population Under Royal Government

• Overview: The royal governance of New France saw initiatives to increase population to strengthen the colony against foreign threats.

Slow Population Growth During Company Rule (1608-1663)

• Issue: Population growth was stagnant, making it vulnerable to British takeover.

• Commentary: The British perceived the low population as an easy target for control.

Role of the Intendant

• Intendant's Responsibility: Tasked with populating New France during the royal government.

• Urgency: Pressure from above to expedite population growth was evident.

Jean Talon – The First Intendant

• Census Conducted: Talon took a census to assess the population.

• Finding: The population was worse than anticipated, leading to concern over gender disparity.

Gender Ratio in New France (1666 Census)

• Census Results: Revealed a drastic gender imbalance:

  • Men: 94%

  • Women: 6%

• Implication: Critical shortage of women for family formation and population growth.

Population Growth during Talon’s Tenure

• Statistics:

  • In 1627, population was 20,000.

  • By 1752, this had increased to 80,000, doubling over Talon's career.

Strategies to Increase Population

• Filles du Roi: Introduction of French women to marry and boost birth rates.

• Increased Immigration: Strategies to bring more women into New France to facilitate marriage and reproduction.

Initiatives for Settler Encouragement

• Soldiers: Carignan-Salières Regiment soldiers stayed on after service, marrying local women.

• Engagés: Contract workers imported to stimulate settlement.

• Incentives:

  • Bonus for Early Marriages: Financial incentives for newlyweds.

  • Baby Bonuses: Rewards for larger families, especially those with 10+ children.

  • Fines: Levied for maintaining unmarried status for extended periods (20+ years for men, 16+ years for women).

Seigneurial System and Land Distribution

• Purpose: The system supported settlement by dividing land effectively.

• Land Use:

  • Promised free land distribution to settlers.

  • Prominent features: Church, presbytery, cemetery, seigneur's manor, windmill (used as a fort), and sawmill.

Land Configuration

• Rectangular Lots: Granted to settlers located along the St. Lawrence River to optimize accessibility to resources.

Economic Development Under Talon

• Agricultural Promotion: Talon encouraged diverse agriculture, including flax, hemp, beer, and livestock.

• Self-Sufficiency: Emphasis on farming as a basis for sustainable economic growth.

• Industry building: Shipbuilding (Hoquart), brewery industry

Trade Dynamics

• Trading Partners: Engaged in trade with France, the Antilles, and New France, focusing on manufactured goods, fur, sugar, rum, wood, fish, tobacco, and molasses.

• Comparison With British Trade: Analysis on the colony's trade imbalance, which consistently resulted in a deficit, adversely impacting the French monarchy.

Limitations of the Seigneurial System

• System Weakness: Despite good intentions, New France struggled to achieve self-sufficiency due to lack of skilled labor and dependency on France (mercantilism).

Main Economic Resource**

• Fur Trade: Despite efforts for diversification, fur remained the cornerstone of New France's economy, highlighting its critical importance.