Explorers & Alliances
Who was the French explorer who founded Quebec in 1608?
Samuel De Champlain
What was the main European motivation for exploring and settling Canada?
The fur trade
What system organized land ownership in New France?
Seigneurial System
Where did the Acadians primarily live?
In present-day Nova Scotia
Why were Champlain’s maps important to France?
They provided territorial claims and knowledge of the interior
What was Champlain’s main reason for allying with the Wendat?
To access fur trade routes
Why did the fur trade encourage alliances between French settlers and Indigenous peoples?
They relied on Indigenous knowledge and trade networks
Who were the filles du roi and why were they sent to New France?
Young women sent to marry settlers and grow the population.
What unique farming technique did Acadians use?
Building dykes to reclaim farmland from the sea
How did geography affect settlement patterns in New France?
Settlements followed waterways for transport and trade
Why did Champlain’s alliance with the Wendat and Algonquin lead to long-term conflict?
It made the Iroquois enemies of the French and their allies
What made the Iroquois League a powerful threat to New France?
Their unified military and strategic raids
How did women contribute to New France’s success?
They ran farms, hospitals, and raised families that sustained the colony.
Why did the Acadians resist pledging loyalty to Britain?
They wanted neutrality and to protect their way of life
Which European nations were competing for power in colonial Canada?
France and Britain
What major river did Champlain use for trade and transportation?
The St. Lawrence River
What product was the backbone of the New France economy?
Beaver pelts
What was one key feature of the seigneurial system?
Habitants farmed strips of land and paid rent to seigneurs.
What event forced thousands of Acadians from their homes in 1755?
The Acadian Expulsion
How did the collapse of the Huron Confederacy impact New France?
It weakened French alliances and trade routes
What was the Company of One Hundred Associates created to do?
Control trade and colonize New France
Which two Indigenous groups were Champlain’s early allies?
The Wendat (Huron) and Algonquin
What role did religion play in daily life in New France?
Catholicism shaped laws, education, and community structure
What three cultural traits defined Acadian society?
French language, Catholic faith, and Strong community networks
What lasting influence did French colonial society leave in Canada today?
French language, Catholic traditions, and Quebec’s identity