New France Research Paper

To understand the development of New France we must look at some of the French explorers that came to the “New World”(North America). Many French explorers have come to North America, in search of the Northwest Passage, and for resources and fur trading opportunities. Some of these people include Jacques Cartier, Radisson and Rene Robert Cavelier. They have all contributed to the development of New France in one-way or the other. This paper will look at their accomplishments, contributions, successes, failures and challenges. We will begin with the first French explorer, Jacques Cartier.

Jacques Cartier was a navigator and the first French explorer to come to Canada in search of a westward route to Asia and to find riches along the way.

The Iroquois attacked Cartier and his men, in order to get revenge for kidnapping their people and for Donnacona’s death. Cartier decided it best to abandon Stadacona. “He located a new site at the mouth of the Rivière de Cap-Rouge, 14 kilometers away from Stadacona, and built a new fort. He named the settlement Charlesbourg-Royal, which would become the first French settlement in North America.” (sympatico.ca). Within in 2 years Cartier abandoned Charlesbourg Royal and went back to France. He brought back fool's gold and quartz. His attempts to settle and find gold failed.

Jacques Cartier expeditions to North America didn’t go as planned, since he failed to find the Northwest Passage or any gold. However, his voyages were what gave rise to New France. He began the trading between the Europeans and First Nations. He was the one to create the first settlement and claimed land, such as Prince Edward Island for New France. He also created the main entry point, the St. Lawrence River for any future Explorers. Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who came to search North America to find the Northwest Passage. He led three expeditions to North America to find the Northwest Passage and any gold. His attempts may have failed, but he is important because his coming to North America in the first place led to the rise of New France. The next French explorer we will examine is Pierre-Esprit

He didn’t believe their exaggerated stories but was interested. Prince Rupert convinced the king and helped them with finance. In about three years they were ready and started what is now known as the Hudson Bay Company. They had found much success due to which “King Charles II granted them a fur trading monopoly to all the lands of whose water drained into the Hudson Bay Basin. It also gave them a wide legal & trading power over the areas as well as a complete administrative and judicial control” (shaping Canada). Radisson and Des Groseilliers continue with the company until 1674, when they switched back to the French side. They returned to the British in 1683 when French “confiscated Radisson and Des Groseilliers ' ships and 25% of their furs”