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Chapter 6: The Duel for North America

1. Explain what caused the great contest for North America between Britain and France, and why Britain won.

France was a latecomer in the scramble for New World territory. They decided to colonize the New World due to clashes between the Roman Catholics and Protestant Huguenots. A new era dawned in 1598 when the Edict of Nantes, issued by the crown, granted limited toleration to French Protestants. Because of this, religious wars ceased and France blossomed into the mightiest and most feared nation on the European continent, led by King Louis XIV. He was the one who began the overseas expeditions in the New World. After a rocky start, success finally rewarded the exertions of France in the New World. In 1608 (a year after Jamestown), the permanent beginnings of a vast empire were established at Quebec near the St Lawrence River. The leading figure was Samuel de Champlain, an intrepid soldier and explorer whose leadership fairly earned him the title “Father of New France.” Champlain entered into friendly relations (which turned out deadly) with the Huron Indian tribes. At their request, he joined them in battle against the Iroquois tribes thus earning them the lasting enmity of the Iroquois tribes. They continually ravaged French settlements and frequently served as allies of the British in the prolonged struggle for supremacy on the continent. The Iroquois also hindered the spread of the French into the Ohio Valley. The government of New France (Canada) finally fell under the direct control of the king after various commercial companies had faltered or failed. This royal regime was almost completely autocratic. As the years went on, the Catholic population increased. Landowning French peasants had little economic motive to move and Protestant Huguenots were denied a refuge in this colony. In any case, the French government preferred its Caribbean island colonies, rich in sugar and rum, to Canada. One valuable resource of New...