French Arrival in Canada

JACQUES CARTIER VOYAGES

Who was Jacques Cartier? Jacques Cartier was born in

Saint-Malo, Brittany, France.

He was born in the year 1491.

In his early years, Cartier received a very good education, probably studying cartography, navigation, astronomy, mathematics, and seamanship.

Who was Jacques Cartier?

In 1520, Cartier married the love of his life, Catherine des Granches, who was the daughter of a constable of Saint-Malo.

He and his wife lived in Dieppe, but they did not have children.

While in Dieppe, he acquired the skills of a seafarer.

Cartier Accompanies Giovanni Giovanni da Verrazzano was

an experienced seaman who discovered Manhattan, New York Harbour, Narragansett Bay, and explored between the Carolinas and Newfoundland.

Giovanni was an Italian, but he sailed under the French flag and lived in Dieppe.

Giovanni da Verrazzano’s Explorations

Cartier Accompanies Giovanni In 1524, he set out on an

expedition and explored the northeast coast of North America.

It was believed that Jacques Cartier accompanied Verrazzano and earned a reputation as an experienced navigator and great leader.

Giovanni da Verrazzano

Cartier commissioned by

King Francois I 1534CARTIER’S MISSION: 1) Find route to Asia/China 2) Bring back riches/gold 3) Take possession of territory for France 4) Set up a colony 5) Convert Natives to Roman Catholicism

Cartier’s 1st Voyage to Canada- 1534

In 1532, the bishop of Saint-Malo (Jean Le Veneur) recommended to the King of France that Cartier lead a voyage to the New World, in order to convert the ‘heathen natives’ to Catholicism.

However, it wasn’t until 1534 that King Francois I sent him to “discover certain islands and lands where it is said there is a large amount of gold and other riches to be found.”

King Francois I

Cartier’s 1st Voyage to Canada So on April 20, 1534 he set sail with

his crew of 61 men on a small 60 tonne ship called ‘The Grande Hermine’ as well as another small ship.

20 days later he arrived at Newfoundland and then continued to explore the coast of Labrador. He reached the Îles de la Madeleine on June 26 and then on June 29th, Cartier discovered Prince Edward Island.

He continued to look for a passage through North America.

Cartier’s 1st Voyage to Canada Cartier then sailed inland for 1000

miles, up a river which he charted and named the ‘St. Lawrence River’.

He then entered the Baie de Gaspé where he met a group of Iroquois. He claimed the land as France’s, which caused Chief Donnacona to protest, but then Cartier took 2 of his sons back to France to “give proof of the New World.” However, that was the last time the Chief would see his sons.

Cartier’s 1st Voyage to Canada He called the land “Kanata”

which meant ‘village’ or ‘settlement’ in the Huron-Iroquois language.

Cartier sailed North to the Île d'Anticosti and then to Newfoundland. On August 15, he set sail on the Atlantic and arrived back in St-Malo on Sep. 5th, 1534.

This first voyage of Cartier's’ lasted 137 days.

Cartier’s 2nd Voyage to Canada - 1535 - 1536

On May 26, 1535 Cartier embarked on a second voyage to Canada.

This time he had 3 ships (Grande Hermine, Petite Hermine, and Émérillon) and 110 men.

He first explored parts of Montreal, then returned to Quebec, where he spent the winter at Stadacona, near some native villages.

Cartier’s 2nd Voyage to Canada

During the winter, 25 of his men died from an outbreak of scurvy.

Cartier had heard talk about a secret land that was “rich and wealthy in precious stones.” He sought more information about the rich land called ‘Saguenay’.

He found out that it could be accessed most easily by the River Ottawa.

Cartier’s 2nd Voyage to Canada

In order to give the king accurate information, Cartier kidnapped Chief Donnacona of the natives as well as some other natives from the tribe.

He left on May 6, and arrived back in Saint-Malo on July 16, 1537.

Cartier reported to the King the ‘Kingdom of Saguenay’, supported by Donnacona.

The French Council began to make plans to colonize Canada.

CARTIER’S THIRD VOYAGE:1541 – 1542

On January 15, 1541, Jean-François de la Rocque, sieur de Roberval was chosen by the king to lead the colonization of Canada

On May 23, Cartier set sail with 5 ships and a crew of about 1500 which were to meet up with Roberval who set sail on April 1542.

He set up camp at Charlesbourg-Royal and told the natives that Donnacona had died, and the others had become rich and settled down in France.

Jean-François de la Rocque, sieur de Roberval

Cartier’s 3rd Voyage to Canada The natives were furious and

attacked the Frenchmen to the point where Cartier decided to go back to France.

Cartier met Roberval in Newfoundland on his way back to France.

He warned Roberval not to go to Canada because of the severe weather conditions.

Cartier arrived back in France and waited there for Roberval’s return.

Charlesbourg-Royal

Where the Huron-Iroquois lived

Cartier’s 3rd Voyage to Canada Roberval ignored Cartier’s

warning and attempted to start a settlement.

The mission proved futile, and the expedition returned to France on June 6, 1543.

During the expedition, Cartier claimed he had found gold and diamonds. However, the ‘gold’ was actually iron pyrite, and the ‘diamonds’ were only quartz.

Reasons For Failure

1) Too cold!

2) Native Attacks

3) No riches found

Latter Part of Cartier’s Life It appears that Cartier did not

get assigned another expedition.

In 1545, he published an account of his voyages and discoveries.

He settled down in his manor at Limoilou and died on September 1st, 1557.

Later, in April of 1575, Catherine des Granches, the widow of Jacques Cartier died.

The Beginning of the Fur Trade

During his expeditions, Jacques Cartier traded with the natives.

The natives traded him furs, food, weapons and canoes, as well as other things in exchange for guns, pots, and other items.

The natives benefitted more by the trading, because they gave essentially useless furs for important guns and things that helped them in life.

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