In what ways did the French colonial governance operate in North America?

The French colonial governance in North America operated through a centralised system of royal control and fur trade.

The French colonial governance in North America, particularly in regions such as Quebec and Louisiana, was characterised by a centralised system of control. Unlike the British colonies which had a degree of self-governance, the French colonies were directly controlled by the French monarchy. The King appointed a governor, an intendant, and a bishop to each colony, who were responsible for its administration, finance, and religious affairs respectively. This system was designed to maintain a strong royal influence and control over the colonies.

The French colonial governance also heavily relied on the fur trade. The fur trade was the backbone of the French colonial economy in North America. The French established a network of trading posts throughout their territories, where they traded European goods for furs with the indigenous people. The fur trade was regulated by the French government, which granted trading monopolies to certain companies and individuals. This not only provided a source of revenue for the French crown but also helped to maintain good relations with the indigenous tribes, which was crucial for the survival of the French colonies in the face of British competition.

In terms of social structure, the French colonial society was divided into two main classes: the seigneurs and the habitants. The seigneurs were the landowners, who were granted large estates by the French crown. They were responsible for developing their estates and attracting settlers. The habitants were the settlers, who rented the land from the seigneurs and worked on it. This system, known as the seigneurial system, was another tool used by the French colonial governance to control the colonies and ensure their loyalty to the French crown.

Furthermore, the French colonial governance also sought to spread Catholicism in their North American colonies. The French crown saw the colonies as a mission field for converting the indigenous people to Catholicism. The Catholic Church played a significant role in the French colonial society, providing education and social services. This religious aspect of the French colonial governance not only helped to maintain control over the colonies but also served to distinguish the French colonies from the Protestant British colonies.