Fort Plaisance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Plaisance |
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|---|---|
| overlooking Placentia Bay, Newfoundland | |
Fort Plaisance in 1675
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| Type | French fort |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1662 |
Fort Plaisance was an important French fort built in the 1600s on the island of Newfoundland. At that time, this area was part of New France, which was what the French called their lands in North America.
Contents
Fort Plaisance: A French Stronghold
In 1662, the French decided to set up a special trading post in a safe bay. This spot was perfect because it overlooked Placentia Bay, which separates the Avalon Peninsula from the rest of Newfoundland. It was also very close to the Grand Banks, a famous fishing area. This location was great for trade and for controlling the seas.
Why Was It Built?
To keep this important trading spot safe, the French built several forts around the bay.
- Fort Plaisance was built first in 1662.
- Later came Fort Royal in 1687.
- Then Fort Saint Louis in 1690.
Fort Plaisance was built right inside the harbor. Its main job was to protect the small port city of Plaisance from any enemy attacks. Imagine it like a shield for the town!
Building a Strong Fort
When Fort Plaisance was first built, it had strong walls made of earth. These walls were made even stronger with wooden stakes. At the very beginning, the fort had four cannons to defend itself. But the French kept adding more weapons! By 1667, just five years later, Fort Plaisance had an impressive 32 cannons. This shows how important the fort was to them.
What Happened Next?
History changed for Fort Plaisance in 1713. That year, the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. This treaty was an agreement between different countries that ended a big war. Because of this treaty, the French had to leave their settlements in Newfoundland.
After the French left, the name 'Plaisance' was changed to 'Placentia'. The French people who lived there had to move to a new place called Île Royale. This is where they started building another famous fort, the Louisbourg. Fort Plaisance, once a busy French stronghold, became a part of British territory.
