The History of Quebec and Canada

A review aid by Danitha Sivakumar, LHA '03

Module 1: The French Empire in America

1450-1600: The age of European Exploration and Discovery

Reasons for the European Explorations

Find New Route to the Orient (Asia)
Exploit Wealth in the New World (Gold and Precious Riches)
Empire Building:

To have their own empire
To have more power

Religion:

Convert the people of other lands to the Christian Religion

Technological Advances:

Navigation Aids- Compass, Astrolabe, Sextam, Telescope
Better Maps and Charts
Stronger and Bigger Ships

Main Regions which the European Explorers explored/traveled in North America:

Four Main Sea routes in North America:

St. Lawrence River
Hudson Bay
Hudson River
Mississippi River

Three major Physiographic Regions:

Canadian Shield
Appalachians
Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands

The Natives People of North America

Two Amerindian Tribes the Iroquois and Algonquians lived in North America, both Tribes had common and different characteristics.

Sociocultural Organization

Characteristics of the two Amerindian Tribes

Life Styles	Sedentary (Settled)	Nomadic (Wander)
Tribe	Iroquois	Algonquians
Geographic Region	Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Valley	Canadian Shield
How they got Food?	Farming/Hunting	Hunting/Fishing/Gathering
Who ran Society	Matriarchy	Patriarchy
Housing/Dwelling	Longhouses	Tent-like wigwams (made out of Animal Skin) Teepee (Portable and moveable)

Common Elements of the Two Amerindian Tribes

Hunting and Fishing

Canoes as means of transport
Belief in life after death: Spirits, Animals, and Nature
Clothing made from animal skins

The Algonquians The Iroquois

Mutual Influences of the French and Amerindian

The Europeans

Gave Amerindians metal tools, guns, axes, knives and pots
Amerindians learned new food products such as bread, peas and salt
Introduced Christianity
Introduced and gave woolen blankets, hats and cloths

The Amerindians

Introduced Europeans to canoes, snowshoes, and toboggans
French learned new food products such as corn, pumpkins, and maple syrups
Adopted survival techniques, hunting, fishing methods
Learned to make clothing from animals skins (moccasins and mittens)

Results

Amerindian Society guided to Deterioration

Natives became dependent on European goods
Traditional way of life of the Natives was threatened by alcohol and disease
Conflicts between Natives and European led out to wars
Religious Orders tried to convert the Native People to Christianity

Jacques Cartier’s Voyages and Results

1534-41 Jacques Cartier’s Goals/Purposes of his mission

Find new route to China
Find gold and other precious riches
Claim land to the King of France

Cartier’s Voyages and Results:

Date	Area Explored	What he found/purpose
First Voyage 1534	Explored and Mapped the Gulf of St. Lawrence	Claim Land for France by planting a cross in Gaspe Meet Natives willing to trade furs for trinkets Route to China (Failed) Find Wealth---Gold and Riches (Failed)
Second Voyage 1535-36	Explored St. Lawrence River and went to Two Indian Villages Stadacona (Quebec) and Hochelaga (Montreal)	Adopted how to survive the cold from natives "Borrowed" five Amerindian Boys to France
Third Voyage 1541-42	Charles-Boug-Royal Cap Rouge Roberval	Set up Colony (Failed) Convert the Natives (Failed) Brought home "Gold + Diamonds" (Failed)

Cartier’s Results and Accomplishments

Claimed territory for France by plating a cross in Gaspe
Discovered and Explored St. Lawrence Valley
Interacted with Amerindians
Mapped the shores of St. Lawrence River

In 1542 settle was abandoned, the mission failed and France lost interest in having a colony in North America. No one returned to North American for the next 60 years.

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