Father of New France, Samuel de Champlain

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Samuel de Champlain, who is referred to as the Father of New France, was born in the Brouage, Saintonge province, Western France. He was born to a protestant family around 1570. His father Anthoine de Champlain was a sea captain. The fact that his father worked in the high sea as a navigator, gave Samuel a strong desire to be a sailor and an explorer. This came when he was barely twenty years, under the guide of François Grave, he made his first voyage trip to the North America. Samuel Champlain never acquired a formal education in either Greek or Latin literature, but he learnt to navigate, drawing art of nautical charts, and writing. He also learnt the fighting techniques as part of a requirement for French sailors and later he was enrolled as a soldier in the army under King Henry.
Champlain’s first voyage trip was with his uncle-in-law, Saint Julien, a great navigator and sea voyageur. Julien was transporting Spanish soldiers to Cadiz in the pursuit of a treaty with the Vervins. Champlain got an opportunity to accompany his uncle for his first navigation trip. He made another voyage to West Indies and Mexico. In any navigation he made, he took notes, learnt new things and submitted a report to King Henry. He legally acquired the voyage ship and property after his uncle died leaving Champlain financially stable to make further exploration works. He served in the king’s court as a geographer. His first trip to the Northern America was to observer trade expedition that the King had assented to him. He met François Grave, a great navigator and ship captain who taught him what navigation in the North America entailed. Champlain drew Saint Lawrence on a map after his trip. Champlain established many settlements such as Acadia and P...

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...rade in the present Canada region attracted the investors who were given land and security. The settlers were to venture in farming and trade. Champlain was appointed as the Governor of the New French because of his achievements. His tactic of forming alliances with the native tribes gave the settlers much ease to explore the North America region. The natives taught the settlers how to survive in the harsh conditions in the region, hunting for food and further exploration of the region.
In conclusion, Champlain experience as a soldier and skilled diplomat made the New French peaceful colony. He won major fights against the Iroquois, and signed treaties with them, controlled the fur trade and merged the English and French traders to control the fur trade impacted the growth of the colony. The book is a great source ancient history with a lot of mind catching facts.

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