The French in the New World

New France Established by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 New France was the present-day Canadian province of Quebec French is still the primary language in Quebec

French Explorers The French explored the Midwest Called Voyageurs Robert LaSalle - The entire Mississippi River Claims New Orleans for France Marquette and Joliet – Explored much of the Mississippi and connected it to the Great Lakes Marquette – a Jesuit priest and the name of an absolutely FANTASTIC university

French Fur Trade France made most of its money in New France off trading furs and pelts Beaver skins were especially valuable and French trappers, a person who traps animals for their fur, travel across much New France looking for beavers While traveling French trappers set up trading posts that became cities and established relationships with the Native Americans

French and Native American Relations Of all the European countries, France treated the Native Americans the best, by far. Unlike the Spanish and British, who tried to change the Native Americans by making them convert to Christianity or make them slaves, the French respected the native’s culture French men learned the native’s language and customs, some took native women as wives. Made sure there would be peace and made the natives strong allies of the French Remember: The French NEVER tried to change the Native Americans in New France

The Dutch in North America The Dutch tried to reach Asia using the Northwest Passage The Dutch failed to find the passage, but claimed New Amsterdam, now New York City. Claimed by Henry Hudson

Monsters in the New World

Wendigo A mythical creature appearing in the mythology of the Algonquian people. It is a malevolent cannibalistic spirit. People who participate in cannibalism can become wendigos French trappers, who would wander the woods alone, were warned of this monster by Native Americans

Piasa A monstrous bird reported by Marquette and Joliet Reports based on two massive murals painted on cliffs overlooking the Mississippi, near Alton, Illinois The natives with Marquette would not even look at it.

In Marquette’s Own Words "While Skirting some rocks, which by Their height and length inspired awe, We saw upon one of them two painted monsters which at first made Us afraid, and upon Which the boldest savages dare not Long rest their eyes. They are as large As a calf; they have Horns on their heads Like those of a deer, a horrible look, red eyes, a beard Like a tiger's, a face somewhat like a man's, a body Covered with scales, and so Long A tail that it winds all around the Body, passing above the head and going back between the legs, ending in a Fish's tail. Green, red, and black are the three Colors composing the Picture. Moreover, these 2 monsters are so well painted that we cannot believe that any savage is their author; for good painters in France would find it difficult to reach that place Conveniently to paint them. Here is approximately The shape of these monsters, As we have faithfully Copied It."

Champ the name given to a reputed lake monster living in Lake Champlain in New York Two Native American tribes living in the area near Lake Champlain, the Iroquois and the Abenaki, had legends about such a creature. The Abenaki called the creature "Tatoskok". Samuel de Champlain, the lake's namesake, reported seeing the monster in Lake Champlain in 1609. He is supposed to have spotted the creature as he was fighting the Iroquois on the bank of the lake “Champ” is considered the America’s Loch Ness Monster

Theories on what these animals could be

Theories on what these animals could be