1. First Contact with Europeans
16th century

2. How did Native peoples contribute to France’s exploitation of the territory’s resources as well as its attempts at settlement?

3. I. European explorations in north america – 16th century
Motivations of Early Explorations
Initial motivation:
For years Europeans traveled over land to central Asia and the Far East to obtain valuables such as spices, silks and cotton
In the late 15th century Turkish armies captured Constantinople, making the route extremely dangerous
Europeans started searching for new routes to Asia

5. Constantinople

6. I. European explorations in north america – 16th century
B) Other motivations:
Expand empire/land
Profit – rare goods
Religion – Spread Christianity
Fame

7. I. European explorations in north america – 16th century
Key European Explorers
Christopher Columbus – Spain 1492
Crossed the Atlantic and claimed Caribbean for the King of Spain
John Cabot - England 1497
Explored the east coast of North America & discovered the abundance of fish in the region
Giovanni de Verazzano- France 1524
Sent by the French King to explore North America and find a route to Asia – was not successful

8. Christopher Columbus
Giovanni de Verrazano
John Cabbot

9. II. European fishermen and whalers
Europeans came to harvest the rich cod fisheries of the east coast of North America – Grand Banks of Newfoundland
Reason for Demand: Fish was considered a valuable resource since most Catholics ate fish every Friday
Whales
They also caught whales for their blubber/oil.
Reason for demand: They need blubber because they melted it and used the oil to light lamps in Europe.

10. III. Early trade between native peoples and Europeans
First Contact
While exploiting fish and whales, Europeans began making contact with Native peoples
They formed a mutually beneficial trade relationship
Products Traded
Natives obtained new goods:
glass beads
axes
knives
hammers
nails
clothing
Europeans obtained furs (profit) in return

11. III. Early trade between native peoples and Europeans
Trade from Native people’s perspective
Benefitted from various European goods/tools
Gradually abandoned certain subsistence activities and traditional practices to obtain furs for Europeans
Copper pots replaced traditional bark/wood pottery
Mi’kmaq began fishing less to obtain more furs and eating more European foods (flour, dried peas, etc.)
Algonquin began replacing their primarily diet of large game for agricultural products they traded with the Huron- Wendat

12. III. Early trade between native peoples and Europeans
Established native trade relations were disrupted
Created/Intensified conflicts between certain Native nations
Environment was impacted by the European exploitation of resources

13. IV. Jacques cartier’s Voyages
France sent Jacques Cartier on three voyages to New France in 1534, 1535, 1541 with 3 main objectives:
Find a route to Asia
Create a competitive colonial empire/expand territory
Find riches

14. IV. Jacques cartier’s Voyages
He claimed land in the name of the King by erecting a cross at Gaspe
He failed to find riches
He made first contact with the aboriginals, some of who were taken back to France

15. IV. Jacques cartier’s Voyages
He explored St. Lawrence river, leading him to believe he found a route to Asia
He reached Hochelaga (Montreal) and spent the winter in Stadacona (Quebec) where many of his men died from scurvy (lack of vitamin c)
Aboriginals taught the French how to survive winter
Conflicts erupted between the aboriginal populations and the French

16. IV. Jacques cartier’s Voyages
Voyage 3 – 1541: Settlement at Cap Rouge
Cartier was sent to New France under the leadership of Roberval with two new objectives:
To establish a colony (populate and develop New France)
Evangelize the natives
He erected two forts at the mouth of Riviere du Cap Rouge called Charlesbourg Royal

17. IV. Jacques cartier’s Voyages
Failures
Cartier thought he had discovered gold and diamonds, but he found out it was actually pyrite & quartz
He failed to set up a settlement colony because:
The harsh climate and long voyage discouraged French people from settling in New France
Cartier and Roberval could not agree on important decisions
Conflicts between the natives and the French
France was preoccupied with the wars in Europe

18. V. Further French attempts
Sable Island – Nova Scotia
At the end of 16th century France resumed its colonization attempts in North America in several new locations:
Sable Island 1598 – Nova Scotia
Tadoussac
Ile St.Croix – 1604 – Bay of Fundy
The attempts failed due to various reasons:
Isolated location
Harsh climate
Shortage of supplies
Trade & financial difficulties
Ile St. Croix– Bay of Fundy

19. V. Further French attempts
Franco - Aboriginal Alliance– 1603
French form an official alliance with the Maliseet, Innu and Algonquin
Benefits for Natives
Natives receive European goods
Natives receive French military assistance
Benefits for the French
Ensuring fur supply
Alliance allows for French settlement