French colonial empire

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/french-colonial-empire

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the maximum territorial extent?Approximately 12.8 million square kilometers in the early 20th century
2. What is the primary economic driver?Mercantilism, focused on resource extraction and captive markets for French goods
3. Where did France start its colonies?France began in North America, creating New France in Canada and parts of the central United States, and in the Caribbean with Saint‑Domingue, now Haiti.
4. Why did France want colonies?France wanted colonies to get valuable resources, make trade routes, and compete with other European powers like Britain and Spain.

Metropole: The ruling country or homeland in relation to its colonies.
Francophone: Relating to or denoting people or countries that speak French.
Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.