Timeline
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Info-Research Solutions (© 1996)
Concept: Margaret Carter, Heritage Research Associates Inc.
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Parks Canada Unless Otherwise Designated
Researching
the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
Fortress of Louisbourg Timeline Site
Louisbourg Souvenir Edition - Booklet
1730
VILLE
DE LOUISBOURG
In
1714, the French established a settlement at Louisbourg. By 1720, they had decided to develop its
magnificent harbour as their principal New World supply point. Conveniently located for trans-Atlantic crossings,
Louisbourg's harbour soon sheltered French traders and ships of war en route to
other New World destinations -- the Grand Banks, the West Indies, Acadia and
Quebec. Louisbourg became a cross-roads
of New World travel, and was soon a bustling depot.
France
built defences around the harbour, and created a walled city at Louisbourg to
protect its critical position. The city
itself was a European feudal town modified through contemporary military theory
to withstand gunpowder attacks. Louisbourg was enclosed by fortifications with
gates strategically placed to limit access from the land and from the
harbour. Its streets were neatly
surveyed, then formally sub-ided into lots marked, by law, with neat rows of
fencing. Its public facilities were prominently
sited and finely crafted. The soldiers
and settlers responsible for construction were European craftsmen trained in
the best 18th century tradition.
Louisbourg
had a population of 1500-3000. Some
residents were poor, unemployed farm and city labourers indentured to serve in
the colony for a term. Others were
merchants, others tradesmen, still others administrators from the privileged
classes. There were soldiers and
priests, women and children. Louisbourg
quickly duplicated the profile of French society with a more cosmopolitan
flavour. Its population included
Quebecois, Acadiens, Basques, Swiss, Germans and Bretons as well as French
colonists.[1]
Native
Mi'Kmaq allies were frequent visitors,
particularly once they began to taunt British traders in a guerilla war
that delighted the French. Relations
with France's Indian allies were co-ordinated at Louisbourg, as well as
administrative details to support other French New World centres.[2]
Despite
this, Louisbourg was primarily a maritime provision point. During the shipping
season, its streets were crowded with visiting fishermen and sailors. The goods they brought were traded for other
cargoes in Louisbourg's taverns, and busily transferred on Louisbourg's
docks. Fishermen exchanged cod for
staples: military and merchant ships paused for supplies en route to Quebec and
the West Indies. New England captains
traded building timbers for French manufactured goods. While Louisbourg's residents were forbidden
to manufacture anything but daily necessities, the extent of ship traffic
rapidly made it a major North American trade centre.
All
this activity encouraged Louisbourg to ignore chronic shortages in local food
supply. Land around the city was not
easily cultivated, and attempts to establish support farms failed. Residents depended upon trade to supply
their necessities. They ate fish from the Grand Banks, staples from France,
contraband livestock and produce from Acadian farmers in British territory.
They survived on short rations each spring before the year's traffic began.
Trade was essential to Louisbourg's existence -- without it, residents faced
starvation. This was of minor importance during the 1713-44 period of peace in
which Louisbourg was established.
Louisbourg
was French society with a North American twist. Materially it reflected the
glory of Versailles, with a level of textural richness that was the envy of all
Europe. Practically it hosted a ersity of cultures that could only gather in
North America. Little wonder its brief flourish made such a lasting impression!
Illustrations