France became one of the first countries to actively explore and colonize new continents.Interestingly, some French colonies exist to this day, although in much smaller numbers.
In the 16th century the French government on a par with Portugal and Spain, offer expeditions start for the detection of unknown lands and colonization.Interestingly, the era of colonial empires can be divided into two stages.
French Colonies 16-19 century
For a start it is worth noting that a large part of North America at the time was divided into separate colonies that belonged to Britain and France.By 1713 the colonial empire reached its maximum size.Canada, Louisiana, Quebec - all former colonies of France.
history of the development of new colonies is quite interesting.Once part of North America was called "New France", first it was necessary to develop a viable state here.
the colony grew more and more number of Catholic priests, who not only kept the French arrived here, but also actively propagated Christianity Indian tribes.Already in 1674 the diocese was established in Quebec, headed by François de Laval Episkopi.By the way, he also created in 1663 the seminary, which was a real impetus to the development of the education system.A few years later the school became a University of Laval, who became the first institution of higher learning in the Western Hemisphere.
Nevertheless, New France lagged far behind in the development of the English colonies.There were no schools for children, therefore, the population was not only illiterate but also very superstitious.The gap between aristocrats and peasants is increasing.On the territory of the colonies had no job, no lawyers or investigators.There was even a normal pathways that would connect different areas of the colony.
At the beginning of the 18th century the French colony were huge:
- south of modern Quebec (by the way, the population of this province in Canada to this day considers himself part of the French state, is even two official languages);
- territory near Hudson Bay;
- Louisiana (the territory of this region stretches from the Great Lakes to New Orleans);
- Novaya Zemlya;
- Acadia.
Unfortunately, due to the Seven Years' War, France lost most of the American colonies.In 1762 it was signed the Treaty of Paris in which the colonial empire abandon their possessions in the Ohio Valley, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, and the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia.Under the French authorities remained in New Orleans.
And already in 1803 between the United States and the French State signed the documents for the sale of Louisiana.Now France has also lost its control over the New Orleans - an important strategic town.
Another blow to the state's colonial empire has suffered in the early 19th century.At the time, France also had a colony of Santo Domingo, which is the territory of the island of Haiti.From 1791 to 1803 years.the revolt lasted African slaves.By the way, today it is only known stories slave revolt that ended with their victory.In the 19th century the population still gained independence, and Santo Domingo became the first republic led by the blacks.
Modern French colony
Without a doubt, a few centuries ago, France had huge territories around the globe.The state was interested not only large areas, but also small islands, as well as those parcels of land, which are virtually useless to live.For example, when a French owned small islands of the Arctic and Antarctica.
But to this day remained a small piece of the once vast colonial empire.French Overseas Departments are located in French Guiana, on the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe and Reunion.
