Before the explorers came to American the Amerindians lived here. Some believe the Amerindians came to North America from Asia 30,000 years ago by crossing the Bering Strait.

The Amerindians had two different life styles: Sedentary and Nomadic.

They all believed in a religion based on man's interaction with animals and nature. Some differences were:

During the 15^th century Europeans began to explore southward and westward. There were several reasons for this increased exploration.

1. Search for a route to China
2. Increase their empires and claim land for the king.
3. Increase their wealth by finding gold and other riches.
4. The invention of the compass and the astrolabe.

In 1534 the French king anxious to find a route to China sent Jacques Cartier on his first of three voyages.

First voyage 1543: Cartier explored the shores of the gulf of St. Lawrence and planted a cross, claiming the land for France.

Second voyage 1535-1536: Cartier returned to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and continued up the St. Lawrence river visiting two Indian villages, Stadacona (Quebec City) and Hochelaga (Montreal). He spent the winter near Stadacona where 25 of his 110 men died of scurvy.

Third voyage 1541: Cartier returned to the St. Lawrence region to try and establish a settlement. After enduring another winter in New France the project was abandoned.

Although Cartier did not find a route to China he did accomplish:

1. Interaction with the Amerindians
2. Discover and explore the St. Lawrence
3. Claimed North America for France.

The first important natural resource the French discovered in New France was fish but its importance was soon surpassed by fur.

The king of France wanted to set up a colony in New France. In order to pay for the expeditions he granted a trading monopoly to a fur trading company and in return the company promised to set up a colony. A monopoly gave the company exclusive rights to supply the furs, eliminating any competition and giving them total control over setting prices. The fur trading company in New France used a mercantilism trading system. Colonies exclusively traded with the mother country. Colonies supplied the raw materials to the mother country and its purchased finished products.

Samuel Champlain went to New France to set up a colony.

1605: He tried to build a settlement at Port Royal but it was abandoned.

1608: Champlain set up a permanent trading post near Stadacona (Quebec City)

1609: Champlain explored the region to find new sources of fur.

1613: Champlain explored the Ottawa Valley.

1615: Champlain explored Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario.

Champlain's Accomplishments:

1. Built a major living area.
2. Made Amerindian alliances.
3. Brought missionaries to convert the Amerindians.
4. Brought the first farming family- Louis Hebert.

The French and Amerindians were now frequently interacting and influenced each other's lives.

1. Maple syrup, corn, pumpkins and meat from the forests.
2. Fur, moccasins and winter clothing.
3. Canoes, snowshoes and toboggans.
4. Herbal remedies, language and how to survive in the woods.

1. Peas, bread and salt.
2. Woolen clothes, leather shoes
3. Knives, axes, saws and cooking pots.
4. Muskets, pistols, swords
5. Ships
6. Alcohol
7. Convert some Amerindians to Catholicism.

Many believe contact with the French led to the deterioration of Amerindians way of life.

In 1627 the trading company One Hundred Associates was founded.

There were two different ideas at the time as to what type of colony should be built.

The fur trading company did not want settlers because they believed settlers would:

1. Causes trouble with the Indians
2. Get in the way of business
3. Cut into profits

So the fur trade discouraged settlers from coming by emphasizing that the Amerindians were hostile and the climate was too harsh.