The Growth of New France

1. The Growth of New France Pgs. 201-205 Multiple Choice Quiz

2. France in America • In New Spain the Spanish grew wealthy from gold and silver. • In New France the French grew wealthy from the fur trade. • Unlike the Spanish, most French people were not interested in settling in North America.

3. A Slow – Growing Empire • During the rule of King Louis XIV, times were good in France. • No one was interested in leaving France to live in the wilderness of North America.

4. Quebec and Montreal • From 1608-1763 the French built only two towns in New France – Quebec and Montreal. • They also built some small towns across Canada and along the Mississippi River. • By 1625 the population of Quebec was only about 60 people.

6. The French and Indians • The French were friendly toward the Indians which helped them to prosper. • In addition to the fur trade, the French spent time exploring. • They reached the Mississippi but were unable to travel the rivers easily. • They learned to build birch bark canoes from the Indians.

7. Northwest Passage • The French thought that the Mississippi might be the Northwest Passage. • For many years, explorers continued to look for a quicker route through North America to Asia.

9. Northwest Passage • The French quickly discovered that the Mississippi River could not be the Northwest Passage because the river flowed south.

10. La Salle • La Salle was a French explorer who lead an expedition of 20 people and about 30 Indians down the Mississippi River. • La Salle claimed the river and all its tributaries for France. • He named the area Louisiana. Why?