Population et peuplement -- Régime français -- Capsule 3 - Le territoire français

Summary

The video script explores the settlement and land organization of New France, focusing on the seigneurial system introduced from France. It details how large estates were granted to seigneurs, who subdivided them into smaller plots for colonists. The system structured the rural landscape along waterways, with settlers responsible for land development in exchange for free land. It also covers territorial expansion and its peak in the late 17th century, highlighting the French loss of territory after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Despite this, the population remained concentrated in the St. Lawrence Valley, which grew increasingly populated over time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first areas of New France to be settled were Québec, Trois-Rivières, and Montréal.
• 😀 The seigneurial system, imported from France, was used to organize the rural territory and increase the population.
• 😀 The system involved granting large domains to seigneurs, who subdivided them into smaller censives for colonists to cultivate.
• 😀 Censives were often narrow, rectangular plots of land oriented perpendicularly to the St. Lawrence River or other watercourses.
• 😀 The most desirable land, located near water, was settled first for practical reasons.
• 😀 In exchange for free land, colonists had to improve it and pay annual dues such as rent and cens.
• 😀 As the first row of land was granted, a second row of land was opened parallel to the first, with roads (like the montée) built between them.
• 😀 The seigneurs reserved land for themselves, built manorial homes, and later constructed churches and presbyteries near the manor.
• 😀 The lord had to build a mill, where colonists could grind their grain in exchange for part of the flour produced.
• 😀 In 1663, the territory of New France included the St. Lawrence Valley, Acadia, and parts of the Great Lakes, but it was sparsely populated, with few villages outside the main settlements.
• 😀 Following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, France lost several territories to Britain, including Newfoundland, Acadia, and parts of the Great Lakes, reducing the size of New France.

Q & A

What was the seigneurial system in New France?

The seigneurial system in New France was a land organization and social structure system where large land plots were granted to seigneurs. They subdivided these plots into smaller parcels called seigneuries, which they gave to settlers for free, in exchange for them cultivating the land, paying rents, and fulfilling duties for the seigneur.

Why were the lands along the Saint Lawrence River particularly important in New France?

The lands along the Saint Lawrence River were the most desirable because they provided easy access to water, which was vital for transportation, trade, and daily life. These lands were settled first due to their strategic and practical advantages.

What is a 'rang' in the context of the seigneurial system?

A 'rang' refers to a row or strip of land within a seigneury. As settlement expanded, additional 'rangs' were created, often parallel to one another, with roads called 'montées' built to connect them.

What role did the church play in the development of villages in New France?

The church played a central role in the development of villages in New France. It was typically located near the seigneur's manor and was the focal point around which the community developed. It also had dedicated lands for the cemetery and presbytery.

What were the duties of settlers under the seigneurial system?

Settlers, known as censitaires, were required to cultivate the land, pay annual rents, and perform various duties for the seigneur, such as working on his lands or performing corvées (forced labor). They also had to share a portion of the grain they produced with the seigneur in exchange for using the communal mill.

How did the seigneurial system affect the rural landscape in New France?

The seigneurial system significantly shaped the rural landscape of New France. It created long, narrow plots of land that ran perpendicularly to rivers, resulting in a distinctive rural layout. This arrangement is still visible in the Québec countryside today.

What was the role of the seigneur in the seigneurial system?

The seigneur was responsible for granting land to settlers, organizing the land into seigneuries, and ensuring that infrastructure, such as roads, churches, and mills, were built. In return, the seigneur collected rents and services from the settlers, while also living on and managing his own estate.

How did the population of New France grow during the colonial period?

The population of New France grew gradually, with the initial settlements concentrated in the Saint Lawrence Valley around Québec, Trois-Rivières, and Montréal. The population growth was aided by the seigneurial system and the increasing number of settlers. By the end of the 17th century, the population had expanded, but New France remained sparsely populated compared to its vast territorial claims.

What were the territorial changes in New France following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713?

Following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, France lost several territories, including Newfoundland, Acadia, and parts of Louisiana. As a result, the size of New France was significantly reduced, although the population continued to reside mostly in the Saint Lawrence Valley.

What was the purpose of the communal mill in the seigneurial system?

The communal mill was a central feature in the seigneurial system. It was built by the seigneur and was used by settlers to grind their grain. In exchange for using the mill, settlers had to give the seigneur a portion of the flour produced.