The People of New France
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
This book surveys the social history of New France. For more than a century, until the British conquest of 1759-60, France held sway over a major portion of the North American continent. In this vast territory several unique colonial societies emerged, societies which in many respects mirrored ancien regime France, but which also incorporated a major Aboriginal component. Whereas earlier works in this field presented pre-conquest Canada as completely white and Catholic, The People of New France looks closely at other members of society as well: black slaves, English captives and Christian Iroquois of the mission villages near Montreal. The artisans and soldiers, the merchants, nobles, and priests who congregated in the towns of Montreal and Quebec are the subject of one chapter. Another chapter examines the special situation of French regime women under a legal system that recognized wives as equal owners of all family property. The author extends his analysis to French settlements around the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi Valley, and to Acadia and Ile Royale. Greer's book, addressed to undergraduate students and general readers, provides a deeper understanding of how people lived their lives in these vanished Old-Regime societies.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0802078168
ISBN13:9780802078162
Release Date:November 1997
Publisher:University of Toronto Press
Length:130 Pages
Weight:0.48 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Early Canadian history
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Students (university or higher grades of school) will find this a useful book. Its 137 pages, including bibliography and index, offer a succinct introduction to everyday life in pre-Conquest New France. Allan Greer covers topics as diverse as the religious communities, capital punishment and the typical livestock of a farm.
A good introductory history.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
"The People of New France" is a good introduction and overview of early Canadian history. Well-written, not dry or overly long. Highly recommended.
well-written introduction to interesting topic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
The People of New France was written by Professor Greer with his undergraduate students in mind. This book is therefore comprehensive while being accessible. He includes chapters on the role of women and native people in colonial life: groups who were marginalized during the period and are still under-represented in historical work today. (However, his contention that New France was 'multicultural' is debatable.) Greer is a very good writer: after reading the book, you feel like you know what it was like to live in New France, which is reason enough to pick it up.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
