Europe’s first touch of Canada Cabot and Cartier Europe’s first touch of Canada

A Little Background Info Europe was cut off from its old and desired trade routes to Asia by the Ottoman Empire (Then at its peak) The things they wanted most (Gold and Spices) would therefore need to be acquired through a different route. To this effect, the great European powers at the time (England, France, Portugal, Holland, and Spain) sent out ships to discover a new path to Asia, instead they found the Americas.

Christopher Columbus 1492 (Christofaro Colombo) First non-Viking, non-ancient, European to “discover America.” Lands on the island of Hispaniola and immediately starts being a jerk Steals gold and takes slaves “Weird history misunderstood” Erdogan and the Hispaniola “Mosque” Likely more of a temple, as no- there is no evidence that Muslims arrived in the New world before the Europeans did in the late 15th century.

John Cabot 1497 (Giovanni Caboto) Italian explorer working for England to find a route to Asia Discovers Newfoundland (third place) and finds masses of fish off the grand banks. New sources of fish were hugely important for Europe –> No meat on Fridays for Catholics, fish is okay. This inspires hundreds of European fishermen to sail there and then dry their fish on land, putting them in contact with the natives there.

Unfortunate Death On his first and second voyage, Cabot made contact with the Beothuk, a local tribe, this contact would be disastrous to the Beothuk. On his third trip, Cabot’s ship sank in a storm, and no more record of him was found.

Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) First Frenchman to explore the Continent Three voyages, each going deeper inland along the St-Lawrence. Searching for Gold, Land, and Converts

First Voyage 1534 Explores Gulf of St-Lawrence Slaughters 1000 Great Auks at Ile-aux- oiseau Meets natives, likely Miq’mak or St- Lawrence Iroquoian Plants a 10 Meter cross somewhere in Gaspé, Claiming the land for France. Also “adopts” two of the local chiefs son’s

Second Voyage 1535-36 Explores downriver finding the cities of Stadaconna and Hochelaga Trying to find a passage to Asia

Second Voyage cont. Forced to stay the winter when the river froze Many got sick during the winter months  Scurvy being the most common ailment Lack of vitamin C 85 of the 110 men survive, largely thanks to Native aid at Stadaconna Only 10 were healthy enough to do anything that winter Returns to France, having claimed more land for the King (also kidnaps the Chief who helped him and his two sons)

Third Voyage 1541-42 Sent back to settle a new colony Stadaconnans are hostile when he lands there. First attempt at a colony is constantly attacked, and 35 settlers are killed Cartier finds gold and diamonds, but they turn out to be iron pyrite and quartz. The expedition fails and Cartier returns home after only 10 months.

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS 1534- Cartier’s cross upset the Natives living at Stadacona (now Quebec City) Cartier told the Native people that the cross only served as a navigational guide Cartier took two of the Native chiefs sons back to France He returned two years later after the sons told stories of great riches in Stadaconna

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS Clash Of Cultures Europeans viewed Aboriginals as savages and uncivilized Aboriginals saw Europeans as helpless novices, ill equipped to survive in North America Each group believed they were superior to the other

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS Trade and Cultural Change Europeans believed they had a trade advantage trading cheap goods (alcohol) for valuable furs. Aboriginals were more than happy to trade furs for technologically advanced products like axes and knives. Trade changed Aboriginal culture dramatically

FIRST CONTACT-IMPACTS Conflict Over Spirituality Native people embraced spirituality and a wide range of beliefs based on maintaining harmony between spiritual and material world Imposition of Christianity by Europeans was met with skepticism, especially as those who preached brought disease Europeans saw Native religion as barbaric

Video Summary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjRWIf9WG5A starts at 4:45