Horton High School's Canadian
History 12 Web Page and Student
Resource
Chapter Five: French Explorations
of the New World
by the early 16th century, French
fishermen were regularly seen along the Newfoundland coastline. They very
much wanted a foothold in the New World.
first major expedition by the French
to present-day Canada was undertaken in 1534 by Jacques Cartier. This trip
had two ships and 60 men. Crossed the Atlantic in a swift 20 days. Reached
Newfoundland and then sailed north through the Strait of Belle Isle and
then west to present-day P.E.I. and New Brunswick. Landed in N.B. and made
good relations with the aboriginal peoples. Claimed this land for France
on the Gaspe Peninsula, by staking an iron cross into the ground.
returned to France with reports of
fish, fur, timber and land good for settlement. He also heard from the
native peoples of a route to the West - perhaps the elusive passage to
the East - more likely the St. Lawrence.
1535 - 2nd expedition - larger -
three boats - followed the instructions of the natives, and headed north
west from New Brunswick, in hopes of finding the North West Passage. Found
a large inlet and excitedly sailed west into the interior. This he named
the St. Lawrence River. Sailed inland and found a native village, called
Stadacona, under the leadership of Chief Donacona - near the site of present-day
Quebec City. Set up strong trade relations. Established good relations
with Donacona. Sailed further west in search of the Passage, but instead
hit the Lachine Rapids, and was halted. This was not the Passage! He climbed
a small mountain near the rapids and staked another cross in the name of
France, claiming these areas as French. This was near the Iroquois trading
village of Hochelaga. Named this area Mont Royal - Montreal.
on his return to Stadacona, Cartier
spotted enclosures around the other ships, as shaky relations had developed
between the French and Iroquois. Cartier worked with Donacona to smooth
things over. That winter, 25 French sailors died of scurvy.
In the spring, Cartier returned to
France with Donacona in hopes of drumming up more funds for settlements
in the New World. While there, Donacona contracted a virus unknown to his
system and he died. Cartier ran into some complications, thus another expedition
would not get underway until 1541.
1541 - voyage of settlement - led
by Cartier but commanded by the wealthy merchant Roberval, who paid for
most of the trip. Sent 5 ships with close to 500 settlers, along with enough
livestock, ammunition, food and equipment to last for three years. Cartier
and Roberval were to meet up in Newfoundland before proceeding into the
St. Lawrence, but Roberval did not show. Angered and impatient, Cartier
sailed for Stadacona.
· fearing that the Iroquois would
be angered over Donacona’s death, Cartier set up winter camp at Cap Rouge,
about 10 miles from Stadacona. The winter was very hard on the settlers,
many died, and relations with the natives had worsened over the six-year
hiatus. In the Spring of 1542, Cartier abandoned the settlement and returned
for France. He happened to meet up with Roberval around Newfoundland, and
was ordered to return to Cap Rouge. He refused. Roberval continued to Cap
Rouge, settled the area, but was finally forced to abandon the area in
1543.
despite Cartier’s "failures", the
St. Lawrence was now in French hands in terms of European control. Relations,
albeit shaky at that, had been established with the Aboriginal peoples,
and the French saw the immense potential for exploitation of the New World’s
natural resources.
Nonetheless, the Wars of Religion,
which raged in European well into the final decade of the 16th century,
put a halt to French settlements of the New World, save for a botched attempt
to settle Sable Island in 1598. Soon after, the French would arrive under
Champlain, and they would be there to stay.
