Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier was born in 1491 in France. His family had been mariners so it was no surprise that Cartier wanted to be an explorer. Does anyone know what mariner means? It’s a person who navigates or helps to navigate a ship.

In 1534, the King of France told Cartier that he wanted him to find land where there was a lot of gold and other riches. Cartier, like Columbus, wanted to find a western route to Asia.

However, he was trying to find a Northwest Passage. This Northwest Passage was simply a way to either get through or around North America. On this exploration, Cartier heard of the St. Lawrence River and thought that this river might be a passage through America to Asia.

In 1535, Cartier went on a second voyage to reach the St. Lawrence River. Cartier found entrance to the St. Lawrence River. He traveled up the river and claimed what we know as Canada for France. Canada became known as the New France. Cartier explored Quebec, Canada.

In 1541, Cartier left on his third voyage. He no longer wanted to find a western Route to Asia. Instead, he wanted to Establish a permanent settlement along the St. Lawrence River. Once Cartier set up a settlement, he began looking for diamonds and gold. He found quartz and “fools gold” and sent these items home. However, they were not valuable because they were not actually diamonds and gold.

In 1542, the Indians attacked Cartier’s men. He was afraid that he would not have enough men to guard the fort, so he left Canada and went back to France. After coming back to France, Cartier stayed there until he died at the age of 66. He died from an epidemic. Does anyone know what an epidemic is? A rapid spread of a contagious disease. Cartier died before any permanent European settlement was made in Canada.