Captives of the French and Indian Wars 1676-1763: English Slavery in Canada

The work necessary to develop New France into a viable colony during the 17th and 18th centuries posed a significant challenge to France and to seigneurs who received land grants in North America. Various strategies to increase the population and workforce of New France failed. At the same time, French and native militaristic raids produced a steady stream of English captives between 1675 and 1763 who were purchased and forced perform difficult labors. Native tribes learned that the selling of captives was a lucrative business. It is well documented that the natives kept slaves and literature on the subject has applied that characterization correctly. Equivalent labor and lifestyle demands made of captive slaves were required of many English kept by the French; however, the classification of slave for those people has never been fully recognized. The correct historical conclusion from an analysis of a wide range of sources is that the French kept English slaves in 17th and 18th century Canada.