People, State, and War under the French Regime in Canada

People, State, and War under the French Regime in Canada is a study of colonial warriors and warfare that examines the exercise of state military power and its effects on ordinary people. It challenges the stereotype of the fighting prowess and military enthusiasm of the colonys inhabitants and reveals the profound incidence of social divides, the hardship war created for those expected to serve, and the states demands on the civilian population.

Format: Hardback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

People, State, and War under the French Regime in Canada is a comprehensive study that spans from the early seventeenth century, when the colony was founded, to the conquest of 1760. It delves into the realm of colonial warfare, exploring the exercise of state military power and its profound effects on ordinary people. Louise Dechêne, the author, challenges the prevailing narrative that glorifies the military achievements of New France and perpetuates the myth of a tax-free colonial population. Instead, she exposes the harsh realities of social divisions, the hardships imposed upon those expected to serve in the military, and the demands made by the state on the civilian population in the form of forced labor, requisitions, and billeting of soldiers.

Published posthumously in French, People, State, and War under the French Regime in Canada represents the culmination of Dechêne's lifetime of research and unparalleled knowledge of the archival record. This includes official correspondence, memoirs, military campaign journals, taxation records, and local parish records. Through meticulous reconstruction, Dechêne sheds light on the diverse composition and conditions of military forces in New France, encompassing militia, colonial volunteers, regular troops, and Indigenous allies. The study offers an insightful and ambitious comparison between France and other French colonies, highlighting the significant mobilization of an unpaid, compulsory militia in New France compared to other parts of the French domain.

Dechêne's work is characterized by empathy, a keen understanding of the social dimensions of life, and a penetrating insight into the workings of power. She portrays the colonial condition with a rightful sense of danger and ambiguity, emphasizing the severe toll that warfare takes on individuals. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the complex and often conflicting experiences of those who lived during this period of history.

In conclusion, People, State, and War under the French Regime in Canada is a groundbreaking study that offers a fresh perspective on colonial warfare and its impact on ordinary people. Through meticulous research and a nuanced analysis, Dechêne challenges the prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex realities of the colonial era. Her work is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and a testament to the enduring power of historical inquiry.

Weight: 1078g
Dimension: 166 x 234 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228006763