New France Political System

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New France during the period 1663-1760 began to establish itself not just as a territorial claim but as a colony . This process meant population growth; moreover, it also required the establishment of structure within the colony. Leadership in New France came from the economic power of landholding and fur trading which was derived from the crowns political will. While the clergy held social influence they did not hold sufficient economic and political power to be the real leaders of New France. . Therefore leadership of the colony had to shape the economic, political and social institutions.
Economic advantage was a prime reason for expansion; France expected the colony to produce furs, minerals & timber for France to replace items that previously were obtained from other countries. The crown put in place administration that would oversee both economic and political infrastructure that would last into the next century . For example the structure of land ownership modeled on France’s system with settlers relying on “seigneurs” who were in turn subject to the crown for their land. Even though the church held lands after 1663 the crown
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The clergy provided leadership in many of the more rural areas in a larger way than they did in the towns and cities of New France. However the true economic and political power came from the crown at this time and their direct appointment of the minister marine and subsequently the Intendant. By means of the crowns control over appointing the clergy during this period they had a direct influence on the social control that the church held as well. Therefore the crown held the economic authority to grant land, the political authority to appoint judges and clergy by which they controlled the social impact as well thus, the crown provided the leadership of New