Execution of Marie-Joseph Angélique in Montreal

Judicial Proceedings. Angélique was accused of setting fire to Montreal in 1734. During the trial, she was subjected to torture, which compelled her to confess to the crime of arson. The authorities relied on this coerced confession to justify her execution, reflecting the legal mechanisms used against enslaved individuals in the colony.

Social Context. Historians note that Angélique’s low social status and racial characteristics made her an easy target for the authorities, who needed to find someone guilty of the fire. Her case illustrates how poverty, privilege, and protest operated in New France, challenging assumptions about the absence of slavery in Canadian history.

Historiographical Debate. While earlier interpretations accepted her guilt, recent scholarship re-examines the case. Some scholars argue the fire was accidental, while others, like Afua Cooper, propose it was a justified rebellion or cover for an escape attempt. This debate highlights the complexity of interpreting her actions within the brutality of colonial slavery.