Arrival in Canada Socials Studies 9

Vikings First explorers of Canada. From Scandinavia: Modern day countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Evidence is found in historical stories called “sagas” Told the voyages of famous Viking explorers Due to their explorations, Vikings were at war with the Native peoples

Early European Arrival John Cabot claimed the “New Found Land” as property of England in 1497. During his quest for the Northwest Passage, Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River (1534). It was at this location that he kidnapped Taignoagny and Domagaya the sons of Iroquois men.

Cartier’s First Voyage

St. Lawrence River Cartier returned to the St. Lawrence River using the chiefs’ sons for guides. Cartier arrived at “Stadacona” near present day Quebec City.

Hochelaga - Montreal Cartier then set sail for Hochelaga – present day Montreal. Relations at this time were strained between the French and Iroquois. Why? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

French Problems During the winter in Montreal, 25 sailors died of scurvy – lack of Vitamin C. Donnaconna showed Cartier how to make a Vitamin-C-rich tea, which saved many lives. Once the weather permitted Cartier, returned to France, kidnapping Donnaconna and nine other Iroquois. Within 6 years in France all died from diseases which they had no immunity to.

Cartier and the First Nations – Two Worlds Colliding

Colonization Efforts Cartier had a 3rd expedition (1542) to bring back wealth to France - Sieur de Roberval joined him to establish a French colony in North America. The Iroqouis had grown suspicious of the French and separated themselves from the town. This was a failed expedition and Cartier loaded his ship and brought back “diamonds and gold,” and left Roberval without notice. Roberval was left to spend that winter alone and lost 50 settlers and colonization failed.

Fur Trade The French believed that the colony existed to raise money for the home country. The Europeans realized that they could trade goods to the First Nation people for valuable furs that they could sell back in Europe.

Mercantilism Theory that states that there is a certain amount of wealth in the world and that it is in a nation’s best interest to accumulate it. Wealth = Power A country achieves wealth by producing and exporting more goods than it imports. These goods are sold at a profit for wealth

Mercantilism Home Country Colony – New France France: Market For goods. Other Countries: Other Markets Other Colonies: Markets for Goods.

Exchange

The English and the Dutch The English settled in the Hudson River area after taking it from the Dutch. In 1583, Humphrey Gilbert re-claimed Newfoundland for England. Gilbert threatened to cut off the ears of anyone who did not “hear” the King of England’s claim.

New France In the summer of 1608, Samuel de Champlain and 60 settlers established a small post called “Port Royal” in Nova Scotia. These settlers eventually would form the colony known as Nova Scotia. In 1608, Champlain set up a post in Quebec and allied himself with the Alongkians & Montagnais

New France These Native groups promised not to trade any furs with the English as a pledge of allegiance. Champlain also joined the Hurons, who also let him hunt furs in their territories. The French aided the Algonkians in battles against the Iroquois, providing them with firearms to help them win several battles.

Alliance with the Huron’s Became the major alliance for the French. The Algonkians and Montagnais did not like the alliance the French had made with the Hurons. Champlain sent out coureurs de bois, young men to explore the Great Lakes region. New France became the location for the coureurs de bois to live with First Nations people and marry into their home country to establish a settlement.

New Alliances Champlain’s colony was attacked by the English Kirke brothers, the Algonkians guided the English and refused to help the French. A new French company was created called the Company of a Hundred Associates. It rebuilt French posts destroyed by the English.

The Company of a Hundred Associates Was required by its charter to: Bring settlers to Canada and establish seigneuries (feudal like estates) They believed by creating farming communities they would solve the settlement issue. Fur traders not farmers! The monopoly that the company had on the fur trade in 1660 soon fell into bankruptcy.

Coureurs de Bois Pierre Radisson and Medart de Groseillers are the most famous “runners of the woods.” Founded the Hudson Bay and the rich fur territory which surrounded it. Proposed the Hudson Bay Company to France – king was not interested. King Charles II sponsored the creation of the Hudson’s Bay Company instead – this proved to be a vital mistake of France.

Royal Province of New France New France asked their mother land for troops because of impending Iroquois problems. The troops arrived and attacked and burned Iroquois villages until they asked for peace. In 1663, the government of France made New France a royal colony. A governor was appointed as well as an intendant and professional soldiers.

First Government Jean Talon – New France’s first intendant chief administrator, governing the local people. Brought in French soldiers to make it safer and increase population Brought in the “filles du roi” the King’s daughters to help populate New France. Frontenac – New France’s first governor Agreed to take posting because he owed people money in France. He fought with the Church and the home government and disliked the Jesuits, who he believed were harming the fur trade by limiting the use of alcohol.

Rivalry and Conflict New France struggled for power against the British and their American colonies. Wars from the mother land often carried over to the colonies. What was to come? The Seven Years War, originating from the resentment of treaties which limited New England’s desire to settle in rich farm lands of the Ohio Valley.