Chapter 2: Ville-Marie 1642-1665
1)Why was Montréal founded on May 17, 1642?
A.For the fur trade B.To convert the Amerindians to Catholicism C.As a stopover for explorers looking for a passage to the Orient D.To supply France with food
Comment: Montréal, originally called Ville-Marie, was founded purely for missionary purposes. Contrary to Québec City, which was settled as a trading post from the outset, it took some time for the fur trade to take root in Montréal. Because of its small population, the colony was completely dependent on France until the 17th century. For much of this time, France supplied Montréal’s settlers with basic necessities for their survival.
2)Which religious organisation was responsible for founding Montréal?
A.The Société de Notre-Dame B.The Congregation of Notre-Dame C.The Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice D.The Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph
Comment: The Société Notre-Dame pour la conversion des sauvages de la Nouvelle-France was founded by Jérôme Le Royer de La Dauversière and Jean-Jacques Olier in 1639. It remained officially active until 1663, when the Sulpicians took over as seigneurs of the Island of Montréal. After the colony was founded, the Congregation of Notre-Dame and the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph contributed to Montréal’s development in the respective areas of education and health.
Source: Paul-André Linteau, Brève histoire de Montréal , Boréal, 1992.
3)Which woman from the province of Champagne is rightly considered the unofficial co-founder of Montréal?
A.Marguerite Bourgeoys B.Marguerite d’Youville C.Jeanne Mance D.Jeanne Le Ber
Comment: Jeanne Mance (1606-1673) lived in Montréal from the time of its foundation on May 17, 1642. She is unofficially considered the colony’s co-founder since she assisted the official founder, Paul de Chomedey Sieur de Maisonneuve (1612-1676), in all of his tasks. She also founded Montréal’s first hospital in 1645 and ran the colony in Maisonneuve’s absence.
Sources: Paul-André Linteau, Brève histoire de Montréal , Boréal, 1992. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, www.biographi.ca (page consultée le 20 janvier 2007).
4)In which year was the management of Montréal taken over by French royal administration?
A.1642 B.1645 C.1663 D.1665
Comment: All of New France, including Montréal, was officially taken over by French royal administration in 1663. Royal government was established during the reign of Louis XIV, following the repeal of the Compagnie des Cent associés’ rights to the colony. The colony’s administrative structure and operations were considerably altered. Administration became more centralized and the Sovereign Council, the country’s highest judicial body, was created.
Source: Jacques Mathieu, «Le conseil souverain», in Encyclopédie canadienne, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com (page consultée le 20 janvier 2007).
