Chapter 5- Search for the Northwest Passage

Curiosity Many explorers of the time were curious about water routes to Asia. Spanish explorers were unsuccessful in finding a water route, so other explorers began searching, too.

A New Route To Asia Northwest Passage- a water route to Asia. Only people who had money, such as kings and queens could take these voyages. However, merchants found a way to pay for these expensive voyages through the Dutch East India Company. If the expedition was a success, they would earn a profit. Profit is money that is obtained after expenses have been paid.

Early Explorers John Cabot- Italian explorer who set out to find the Northwest Passage. found the Grand Banks, which is popular for fishing. Giovanni da Verrazano- an Italian explorer who searched for the Northwest Passage for the king of France. He did not find the passage, but founded the New York Harbor.

Dutch and French Voyages Henry Hudson- English explorer; searched for the Northwest Passage but founded what is the Hudson River. This is near present day Albany, New York. The area he found was rich in fertile soil and had a good climate for farming.

French Explorers Jacques Cartier- looked for the Northwest Passage, but found Canada and the St. Lawrence River. This was later called “New France”. The French had a slow start with their colonies because of the wars with the Catholics and Protestants. Some eventually began a fur trade with the Native Americans.

French Explorers Samuel de Champlain- Geographer and explorer who founded Quebec. It was the first permanent French settlement in North America. He became friendly with the Huron and began trading with them.

New France Missionaries are people who are sent on a religious journey and wanted to convert the Native Americans to the Catholic religion. Champlain helped the Huron against their enemy the Iroquois in exchange for help with their fur trading business. Marquette and Joliet- French explorers who searched for the Northwest Passage, but found the Mississippi River. They used a portage, land route from one body of water to another.