Abstract:

Detroit founder Antoine Laumet de Lamothe Cadillac is a controversial figure in the history of New France. The historiography has primarily focused on his attempts to gain wealth in the Great Lakes region by any means necessary, including illicit trade with Indigenous people. At times the literature mentions in passing that he also sought to obtain a marquisate at Detroit. However, this topic has not been fully researched. This paper argues that Cadillac aspired to use the Great Lakes region as a place where he would try to improve his social status within France's society. More than profit, Cadillac wanted to improve his social status, for himself but also for his descendants. In both Ancien Régime France and New France money could make one's life more comfortable. But prestige could only be achieved by owning a fief, preferably a titled fief like a marquisate.

摘要：

底特律创始人安托万·劳梅德·拉莫特·凯迪拉克在新法兰西历史上是一位有争议的人物。史学主要集中于他通过任何必要手段（包括与土著人民的非法贸易）在大湖区谋取财富的尝试。有时，文学也顺带提及他也曾试图在底特律找一个侯爵夫人。但是，尚未对该主题进行充分研究。本文认为，凯迪拉克希望将大湖区用作他试图改善其在法国社会中的社会地位的地方。凯迪拉克不仅要提高自己的社会地位，而且要为自己的后代提高社会地位。在法国的AncienRégime和新法国，金钱都可以使人们的生活更舒适。但是只有拥有封地才能获得声望，