Perspectives on New France: A Historical Exploration (1673-1755)

This essay explores life in New France from 1673 to 1755 through the eyes of different individuals. It presents the experiences of a settler seeking a better life, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced in the new colony, including the fear of native attacks. The essay also delves into the role of a Catholic priest in Acadia, focusing on the mission to spread Catholicism and civilize the indigenous population, while also addressing the conflicts with Protestants. Furthermore, it examines the perspective of a French army officer stationed in Acadia, shedding light on the difficulties of establishing a French colony, managing relations with British settlers and natives, and maintaining family life in a challenging environment. The essay concludes with a bibliography of consulted sources.

Running Head: HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

1HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
In the year 1673 I came to New France. That year was the most fortunate year for my life
as it gave the opportunity to live a better life and spared my never-ending wretched life and lean
clothes. In France basically my daily life was associated with daily labours. I tried to make
money from my daily earning but it was not enough to make a settled life. Therefore, most of the
days were spent in searching for better jobs. I had the physical ability and the skill of a daily
labour but the situation in France was not suitable for all. Often, my masters ignored us to pay
the daily wages and made us slave in such a manner. I was single during my early phase in
France. Somehow, I managed to board myself in a ship and wished to get a better life with better
dreams. The year 1673 was a turning point of my life because I landed on a new land with loads
of aspirations. Many of my friends visited New France before me and their story might be strong
enough to crave towards New France. Job was not a problem in New France and enormous
support from the emperor made it easier for people who wanted to settle in New France1. I got a
service to build houses near the ocean and it seemed to be fortunate enough for my fate.
Nevertheless, the fear of native attacks was always posed a serious concern for me as my French
friends were always told stories about the fearsome and ferocious nature of the natives in New
France. Though it never undermined my aspiration to make more money and changed my future.
It could be stated that despite of having affection for my motherland, New France gifted me a lot.
At least I got proper dresses to wear and enough food to digest. It seemed to be a heaven for me
that made me more confident to turn my New France phase a lucky day for me.
Question 2
1 Cartier, Jacques and Biggar, Henry Percival, 1872-1938 The voyages of Jacques Cartier. F.A. Acland, Ottawa,
1924.

2HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
I am a Catholic priest abide to Lord and the French crown only. I made my voyage
towards Acadia in the early half of the 1773. My purpose was to transcend the essence and purity
of Catholicism in the entire Acadia region. I felt that the indigenous people were very savage and
wild enough that they did not hesitate to kill anyone. It should not be the righteous way to get the
blessings of the Lord. In fact, the cultural practices that they shared were heathen and nefarious
in the eyes of God. In this turmoil I was assigned with the task to illuminate and enlighten with
the words of Gospel and civilised them enough so that they could understand the difference
between Good and Evil. Therefore, Port Royal was my first region to spread the words of God.
At that time, it was new to me and unlike my natural instances I became frail to my benevolent
charity due to my inexperience. Then I decided to start with education. Gradually, I got plenty of
support from the crown as well as the French personnel who were at that time stationed in Port
Royal. It was challenging and interesting enough to make friendship with the indigenous people2.
Most of them loved me and the sceptical eyes tried to frame me in a various way. It was basically
the heathen nature of the Protestants from the distant land of Britain those tried to interfere in our
charitable works and threatened us to kill. But the blessings of Lord empowered us to do our
benevolent services. However, I faced some hesitation from the native people who were not
aware of my purpose. Nevertheless, it was a great experience to educate and illuminate many of
the natives in Arcadia who are now secured by the blessings of Almighty. I imagine, they will
place in heaven in afterlife. I am happy for them.
Question 3
2 Jesuits, and Reuben Gold Thwaites. The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents: Travels And Explorations of the
Jesuit Missionaries In New France, 1610-1791; the Original French, Latin, And Italian Texts, With English
Translations And Notes. Cleveland: Burrows Bros. Co., 1898.

3HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
I am just a petty army officer in the French army posted in Acadia for almost five years
from 1750 to 1755. It is my honour that I served my country and my King valiantly. However, as
a petty officer in the French army it was not always to serve only armed service. The purpose of
the Monarch was to develop a colony full of French people in the new lands of Acadia3.
However, there are lists of problems that as an individual I faced in a series of time. For instance,
Acadia is not a place where you can successfully harvest crops. Especially in regions like Minas
there were limited number of fertile lands and we did not have enough man power to muster the
land and harvest successfully. I came to Acadia with my own, my wife and my daughter and son
although it was not my first visit to Acadia. Nevertheless, a family pressure and concern was
always vested upon me. At the same time, the equation with the British settlers was also posing a
threat for our existence. As we were outnumbered by both the natives and the British settlers
henceforth it was quite obvious that cautious moves were best for our survival strategy. We tried
to keep aloof the natives from the British settlers as they intended to make an amity with the
indigenous Acadians. A power checks and balance was always there with a dormant rage of
agitation4. As the head of my family it was next to impossible for me to maintain diplomatic
relations and looked after my family simultaneously in a new land. Despite of all those escalating
problems life in Acadia was more of homely because of the natural similarities. I personally feel
that it would be better to man our settlements with more men and arms. Moreover, the relation
with the natives in Acadia should be more direct without the interference of the British settlers.
Perhaps religion must be used more effectively to solidify our settlements in Acadia.
3 Wardhaugh, Robert A., and Alan MacEachern, Origins: Canadian History to Confederation, 8th ed. Toronto:
Nelson Education, 2017.
4 Stelter, Gilbert A. "Military considerations and colonial town planning: France and New France in the seventeenth
century." Gridded Worlds: An Urban Anthology. Springer, Cham, 2018. 141-153.

4HISTORY ASSIGNMENT
Bibliography
Cartier, Jacques and Biggar, Henry Percival, 1872-1938 The voyages of Jacques Cartier. F.A.
Acland, Ottawa, 1924.
Jesuits, and Reuben Gold Thwaites. The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents: Travels And
Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries In New France, 1610-1791; the Original French,
Latin, And Italian Texts, With English Translations And Notes. Cleveland: Burrows
Bros. Co., 1898.
Stelter, Gilbert A. "Military considerations and colonial town planning: France and New France
in the seventeenth century." Gridded Worlds: An Urban Anthology. Springer, Cham,
2018. 141-153.
Wardhaugh, Robert A., and Alan MacEachern, Origins: Canadian History to Confederation, 8th
ed. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2017.