Terre-Neuve (New France)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Terre-Neuve
1658–1713[1]
Flag of Terre-Neuve
Flag
Ceded to Britain
1713[1]
CurrencyNew France livre
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Newfoundland Colony
Newfoundland Colony
French Shore
Today part ofCanada, France

Terre-Neuve ("Newfoundland") was a colony in

Cape Breton. But, France regained the Saint Pierre and Miquelon
islands of this colony in 1763, and still has possession over them today.

Beginnings

Starting from the 15th century, the

Great Banks was fished in by Europeans of various nationalities, usually for Atlantic cod.[3]
Therefore, the area was already well known to France in the 1600s.

As the French started to desire to compete more effectively with the English in Newfoundland, Placentia Bay was thought to be a good base. Unlike other areas in Newfoundland, the bay is free of ice by early spring, so fishing activity could start there earlier. It was also a convenient sheltering place for those going to or returning from Canada, Acadia, the English North American colonies or the West Indies.[4] So, in 1655, France formally formed Terre-Neuve, and in 1658, France named Nicolas Gargot as its first Governor. In 1662, France founded the Placentia settlement.[5]

The early period of 1662 to 1670 was a difficult beginning, but the colony grew from 1670 to 1702. This is because, from the start, costs of importing goods from France were high. Since importing from the New World was less expensive and more reliable, an illicit trade network came into existence by 1676, most likely preventing the colony's collapse during wartime. From about 1706 onward, Plaisance drew a large part of its annual supply from Quebec City and New England.[6]

Defense of the colony

Defending the colony against the English was paramount, so several forts were erected, including Fort Plaisance in 1662, Fort Royal in 1687, and Fort Saint-Louis in 1690.

Despite the small militias, the colony managed to hold its own against numerous English attacks during two major wars: the

Treaty of Ryswick, England would get dominion over most of Newfoundland, but France kept Placentia Bay.[7][8]

After 1702, the colony found itself in a difficult period both economically and politically because of the War of Spanish Succession.

End and aftermath

Following the signing of the

Cape Breton (called "Ile Royale" by the French) to found Louisbourg.[9] France kept the right to fish on the French Shore, however.[10] France would also regain the Saint Pierre and Miquelon islands in 1763, and has had dominion over them ever since.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Treaty of Utrecht | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  2. ^ "The French Settlement of Placentia". www.heritage.nf.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Grand Banks | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  4. ^ "History of Plaisance". www.heritage.nf.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Placentia | Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  6. ^ "History of Plaisance". www.heritage.nf.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Anglo-French Conflict, 1690-1713". www.heritage.nf.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  8. ^ "A Century of Armed Conflict in Newfoundland | The Rooms". www.therooms.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Louisbourg | l'Encyclopédie Canadienne". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Le French Shore ou la côte française de Terre-Neuve" (PDF). Histoire Maritime escale nautique. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Présentation générale – Saint Pierre et Miquelon". www.spm-ct975.fr. Retrieved 28 December 2022.

See also