JACQUES CARTIER

By: Audrey Bruns

Jacques Cartier was an amazing sailor. It was King Francis I who had the vision of finding a Northwest Passage to China.

France sponsored the voyage to China because it was King of France’s idea and they chose Jacques to attempt the voyage.

JACQUES FOUND LAND ON HIS WAY THERE. THE LAND LOOKED LIKE A LARGE GULF THROUGH A

STRAIT/NARROW PASSAGE WAY BETWEEN 2 LARGE LAND AREAS.

HE CLAIMED AS MUCH LAND FOR FRANCE AS POSSIBLE ON THE GULF. AFTER HE WAS DONE CLAIMING LAND HE HEADED OUT BACK TO FRANCE AND ON HIS WAY BACK HE FOUND A PASSAGE WAY LEADING WEST.

JACQUES GOT SENT BACK TO FRANCE BUT ABOUT A YEAR LATER KING FRANCIS SENT HIM BACK TO MAP THE WATERWAY. HE REACHED THE MOUTH OF CATHOLIC FEAST DAY AND NAMED IT ST. LAWRENCE.

With a little help he sailed all the way to Present Day Cuba. He visited some Indian Villages and brought chiefs back to France. Then he told King France of great riches farther west.

Jacques and some others got sent on a third voyage. This time, it was to set up a French Empire in North America. He took over 100 settlers with him. Because of the harsh weather Jacques and the crew gave up.

In 1542 everyone returned to France. But Jacques did claim land in North America for France and 60 years later New France had its first settler. His wonderful voyages lasted from 1534-1542.

Bibliography .Social Studies Alive! Palo Alto, CA; Teachers’ Curriculum Institutes, 2010. 68.