User:Chnou/Early Canadiens

Canadien People

Several hundred years after the establishment of the First Nations in America, people arrived from the Kingdom of France. Ar first, they tried to establish colonies in Brazil, Florida, and South Carolina. Each time, either the Portuguese, the Spanish, or the English killed or expulsed them. They were French Huguenots who were going though repression in France, and who were trying to find a new land for their followers.

In 1590, Henri IV became king of France, after lawfully converting to Catholism in order to become king. In 1600, he gave Pierre Chauvin land in Canada, which had been discovered by Jacques Cartier seventy years prior. Chauvin traveled to Canada and founded Tadoussac. Tadoussac became a major fur trading post. In 1603, Henri IV sent another Huguenot François Gravé Du Pont back to Canada. After that, from 1604 to 1608, efforts were concentrated on Acadia. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City, and Canada's first capital was born. Champlain built l'habitation. Habitation became synonymous with home. Those who lived there became Habitants.

In 1645, la Compagnie des Habitants was told that it must find at least twenty new settlers a year to populate Canada. In 1656, a new map shows Canada or New France as the land to the northeast of the continent. Slowly, people living there identify themselves as Canadiens. In 1669, the Intendant Jean Talon wrote to Colbert saying: One of the major problems that the Canadiens must resolve is how to heat their home. The poor Canadiens had brick stoves and an earth chimneys. The more fortunate had iron stoves and stone chimneys. Often, they would keep their shoes on at night because of the cold. Homes in Montréall contained two chimneys, and those in Quebec City had one. During the 17th century, Canadiens built their bread stoves at the exterior of their homes. Also, during this period, Canadiens made most of their funiture. Later, they would become good in this field. Eventually, they would develop the rocking chair.

The land farmed by Canadiens is unique in North America. It provides for long narrow bands of land, so that each habitant has access to a river or water.

Canadiens developed a happy and hospitable society. Long winters cause Canadiens to unite and danse, or play cards. Cards were also use as money, since real money was limited.