Government Structure of New France

The Government of New France

The Government of New France was headed by a Governor who was responsible to the King.

The Governor took advice from a Sovereign Council which consistede of the intendant.

About New France

France was emerging as one of the most powerful empires in all of europe.

France could become more powerful, because they were sources of raw materials and ready markets for finished goods.

The first French settlers

The first French settlers in North America is starting to grow.

- The French found land

- The New France is important because they found land for us like, New France, they found St. Domingue.

St. Domingue is a island where the French kill people and battle people.

- The New France also found or claimed this land called French Fishing Island of Saint Pierre.

The Hierachy Chart

A hierarchy chart is any system of people or things, that are ranked above or below each other. (might be givin to their power or royalty) There are many diffrent types of hierachy charts like civil, which is based on the peoples place in the political veiw, and many more.

Duties and responsibility- The king

The top of the hierarchy chart is the king, the duties of the King of New France was to make important decisions and always gets to have a final say's in things. The king also makes sure that everything is well, and important matters are dealt with.

The king of New France was King Louis XIV

Duties and responsibility- The viceroy

The governor of New France was also known as a viceroy, who is in second in command with lots of authority.

Duties and responsibility- The Minister of Navy

Used to be known as the French Navy then the name changed into Minister of Navy in 1791.

Before Jan 1893, the Minister of Navy had the responsibility for France's colonies, which was commonly known as minister of Navy and colonies.

Duties and responsibility- Governor

In the middle of the hierarchy chart are the governor and intendant, the governor is important into making the laws and doing business, would prepare/host parties and will invite important people to attend. Another governor responsibility is to manage the military or civil events.

The most remembered governor in New France was Louis de Buade

Duties and responsibility- Intendant

Below the governor we have the intendant, who is responsible for making sure rules and laws are followed, citizens paid taxes and people who break the law will be punished.

Jean Talon was the first intendent.

Duties and responsibility- Sovereign Council

In early New France a governing council was formed, which was made up of the governer, bishop and people who represent Quebec, Trois-Rivieres and Montreal.

At first, the council was made up of the governor, bishop, intendant and 5 councillors, from 1703 the members in the council started to increase.

Duties and responsibility- Captain of Militia

There were three diffrent military groups in New France, the milice (militia) is made up with fit, strong and healthy men between the ages of 16-60

Duties and responsibility- Citizens

Bottom of the hierarchy chart, the citizens. Men had jobs, working on the fields with very little pay, women however, are in charge of cleaning the house, weaving clothes, cooking and taking care of children, some worked as servants for the higher ranked people.

Government Sturcture of New France

Above is a picture of Jean Talon, who was the first intendant of new France

In New France the Governor-General, bishop and intendent had most power.

The government of New France was run by a governor who was responsible to the king. The governor took advice from the sovereign council which was the intendant, bishop and other high-ranking seigneurs, (other people with authority)

Above is a picture of Francois de Laval, the bishop of new France

above is a picture of king louis XIV

Government Structure Today

The government structure of Canada is made up of three levels which is federal, provincial and municipal.

Federal government

The federal government is responsible for issues that effect the whole country of Canada. The queen is Canadas head of state, and the governor general represents the Queen and does the duties of head of state. The house of commons makes Canada’s laws. Canadians elect representatives to the house of commons, the representatives are called MPs and they are a part of a political party. the party with the most MPs leader becomes prime minister. The prime minister is in charge of government in Canada.

Provincial government

The lieutenant governor represents the queen, and the legislative assembly makes law. The political party with most MPPs leader becomes premier. The premier leads the provincial government.

The municipal government gets its power from the provincial government. Municipal governments are led by mayors in cities and towns. people elect the mayor and council to lead the local government.

Comparing Government Structures

-New France had a king who had the most authority and was in charge, but now we have the queen of state who has less say and doesn’t have much authority for Canadas government.

-Both new France and Canada now have a governor-general

-There was no prime-Minister in new France.

-New France didn’t have three sections to their government called, Federal, provincial and municipal.

-New France had a sovereign council now our government doesn’t

-new France did not have political parties, like we do now.