At the start of the 17th century, France began to colonize the territory of New France.
This colonization began modestly through fur trading companies. However, in 1663, it was taken over by the state when the Royal Government was established.
From the 17th century until the middle of the 18th century, four intercolonial wars broke out between New France and the Thirteen Colonies. It was the final intercolonial war, the War of the Conquest, that brought an end to New France when it fell to British control in 1760.
The Arrival of Samuel de Champlain, 1608
The Capturing of Quebec City, 1759
To find out more about the development of colonial society under the French mother country (1608-1760), see the following concept sheets:
3. Armed Conflicts and Conquest