Chapter 4 Culture & Currents of Thought

Chapter 4 Culture & Currents of Thought

Chapter 4 Culture & Currents of Thought Section 2: The French Regime Part 1: Canadiens Adaptability & Independent Spirit

What does adaptability OR adaptable mean to you? Ability to change under different conditions as needed Can you think of any examples of adaptation Because of the weather? Food? Clothing Transportation?

The first generations of French colonists/settlers brought French culture & traditions from France after 1608 Over time, the people of New France (NF) would develop their own culture and set of traditions This new culture and these new traditions were different than what the FIRST French colonists/settlers had Why? How? Contact with the First Occupants Adapting to the harsh climate of Northeastern North America The large distance between NF and the mother country (France)

1. Contact with the First Occupants Over time, the FO introduced to the Canadiens, new ways to survive in Northeastern North America The FO introduced new types of food to the French corn, squash, beans, harvesting maple syrup, etc. The FO introduced new types of clothing (especially in winter) fur hats/clothing, snowshoes, etc. The FO introduced new types of transportation canoes, toboggans in winter New hunting techniques used by coureurs du bois

French drawings of edible plants introduced by First Occupants: Squash, corn

Artistic depiction of a Canadien family boiling maple sap to make sugar/maple syrup

2. Adapting to the harsh climate & geography Northeastern North America is F%#@ing cold! Les Canadiens in NF had to learn how to adapt to the climate and geography They had to adapt their clothing transportation shelter Trial and error/learning from the FO

Clothing adaptations: Fur hat with flaps to protects ears Jacket that closed with a belt to keep warmth in Jackets could be fur or another material Snowshoes to walk in deep snow Where is that sweet, sweet corn? Artistic depiction of a Canadien dressed for winter going to fight

Clothing could be hand made in NF Durable had to withstand the hard work done by people in NF and the harsh climate Could be dyed with very bright colors this was distinct to the people of NF Artistic depiction of Canadien clothing dyed bright colours (red/blue)

Housing adaptations: Steep roof why? Ice slides off in spring Curved end on roof why? To hold snow in winter to act as insulation Walls from wood to stone Raised floor off the ground why? Floor not as cold in winter and allowed air flow in the summer Soooo. Where do I go to the bathroo oh no. No. No way man! Artistic depiction of traditional Canadien housing

From a home made of wood to a home made of stone

These old homes can be found all over Quebec. Many have been destroyed already. These homes are called Maisons Canadiens OR Heritage Homes.

Adapting transportation: People had to travel long distances sometime using waterways Travel in winter Transportation of goods Rivers & Lakes canoes Walking in deep snow snow shoes and toboggans Transportation techniques learned from FO Artistic depiction of the use of canoes for exploring the continent by French Voyageurs

Document Analysis How can we connect these 3 documents to the culture & adaptability developed by Les Canadiens?

3. Distance from the mother country (France) New France was so far away from France Not a lot of communication and sharing of culture France could not always enforce rules in NF Les Canadiens didn t always obey the laws! Les Canadiens had to make own clothing, build own furniture to meet their own needs These elements added to the INDPENDENT SPIRIT of Les Canadiens

What does the term Independent Spirit mean to you? Independent = can do things on your own without relying on others in any way Spirit = the nature of someone Example: not giving up a fighting spirit

Independent Spirit of Les Canadiens Because of the New France s distance from France: The Canadiens had to fend for themselves Food Shelter Transportation Furniture Farming Artistic depiction of a Coureur du Bois wearing clothing adapted by learning from First Occupants

Independent Spirit of Les Canadiens Wow! France is like actually far away Right!?!? Let s mess sh** up! Lit!!!

Independent Spirit of Les Canadiens Les Canadiens did not always care about laws in NF (resist authority): Trading for fur without a permit Using alcohol as a means of trade (even though the Catholic church thought it was bad!) Living in Amerindian territory Not always paying taxes or Corvees to the seigneur

Independent Spirit of Les Canadiens

Canadian folklore and tradition Some French traditions make their way across the Atlantic with the first settlers Long winters make use of the time you have! New music, dance, stories, and legends became unique to NF What elements helped to inspire Canadian folklore? (songs, dance, legends, etc.)? Les coureurs de bois, Les voyageurs, The different seasons, Contact with the Aboriginals Artistic depiction of an indoor scene in New France during winter

Connections to the Progressions of learning