Histoire des Canadiens-Français, 1608-1880
origine, histoire, religion, guerres, découvertes, colonisation, coutumes, vie domestique, sociale et politique, développement, avenir
📘 About This Book
La publication de l'##Histoire des Canadiens-français##, l'oeuvre la plus importante de Benjamin Sulte, s'échelonne de 1882 à 1884. C'est bien l'histoire des Canadiens français (la période française surtout) et non pas l'histoire du Canada qui est relatée ici. Dans la préface du tome 1, l'auteur précise son objectif: "... nous allons feuilleter les annales particulières des Français du Canada...; parler de tout ce qui leur est propre; composer un album de famille; faire ressortir les gloires, les malheurs, les défauts et les qualités de la race". Cette histoire non ordonnée a une valeur historique inégale. Elle met cependant en oeuvre une ample documentation. Index général à chaque tome.
📖 Summary
Benjamin Sulte's monumental work, Histoire des Canadiens-Français, published between 1882 and 1884, stands as one of the most significant contributions to the historical documentation of French-speaking people in North America. Spanning the period from the founding settlement in 1608 up to 1880, the overarching vision of the book breaks away from traditional general histories of Canada. Instead of offering a broad political narrative of the entire country, Sulte deliberately narrows his scope to focus intimately on the French Canadian populace itself, paying particular attention to the foundational French regime. In the preface to the first volume, the author clearly lays out his guiding philosophy and methodology, explaining that his goal is to leaf through the private annals of the French in Canada, speak of everything that is uniquely their own, and compose a comprehensive family album. Through these pages, Sulte seeks to bring out the collective glories, the tragic misfortunes, the inherent flaws, and the defining qualities of his people. The resulting text is structured in an unconventional, non-ordered manner, functioning less as a strict chronological textbook and more as a richly textured mosaic of cultural memory. Because of this unique organizational approach, the historical value of the material can vary considerably from one section to another. However, what the work lacks in rigid traditional structure, it more than makes up for in its deployment of an exceptionally vast and ambitious body of documentation. Sulte gathers a wealth of details from diverse sources to paint a vivid portrait of early society, daily life, and cultural evolution. To help readers navigate this massive compilation of historical artifacts and narratives, each volume is equipped with its own general index, serving as a practical guide through the sprawling family album that the author carefully constructed. Ultimately, this historical project captures the spirit, resilience, and distinct identity of the French Canadian experience during its formative centuries, preserving the triumphs and trials of a community for generations of future readers and historians to explore.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Utilizes an ample and impressive collection of historical documentation.
Offers a unique cultural perspective focusing specifically on the French Canadian population.
Acts as a rich family album capturing the distinct identity and daily realities of early settlers.
Includes helpful general indexes in each volume for easier navigation.
⚠️ Cons
Follows a non-ordered structure that can make the narrative feel fragmented.
Exhibits a historically uneven value across its various sections and topics.
❓ FAQ
What time period does the book cover? +
The book covers the history of French Canadians from 1608 to 1880.
How does this book differ from standard Canadian history? +
It focuses specifically on the unique experiences and annals of the French Canadian people, particularly during the French period, rather than the general history of the entire country of Canada.
What was Benjamin Sulte's primary stated goal for the work? +
His goal was to compose a family album that highlights the glories, misfortunes, flaws, and qualities of the French Canadian race.
Is the book organized in a strict chronological order? +
No, it is described as a non-ordered history with a historical value that varies throughout the text.
Does the book include finding aids for readers? +
Yes, each volume features a general index to help navigate the extensive documentation.
