La Nouvelle France nella visione del Cardinale Richelieu. La Compagnie des Cent-Associés (1627-1663)

In seventeenth-century France is placed the frst attempt of the French monarchy to intervene directly in the administration of colonial possessions in the North American continent: the Compagnie des Cent Associés(1627-1663). Great promoter of this initiative was Cardinal Richelieu who held the reins of the French State in the period that goes from the end of the Wars of Religion to the Tirty Years War. Starting from the act of foundation of the Company, and the powers conferred to it, we will analyze not only the economic and mercantilist interests that led to the Company formation but also the projects of population and Frenchifcation that Richelieu had planned for the Nouvelle France. Te management of the colonies led by Cent-Associés will be the basis from which Colbert will start the transformation of Nouvelle France in a political institution similar to the French provinces in the Old Continent.