The voyageurs ( French: [vwajaʒœʁ] ( listen); lit. '"travellers"') were 18th and 19th century French Canadians who engaged in the transporting of furs via canoe during the peak of the North American fur trade.
What did the Voyageurs do?
The voyageurs (French: [vwajaʒœʁ] (listen); lit. '"travelers"') were 18th and 19th century French Canadians who engaged in the transporting of furs via canoe during the peak of the North American fur trade.
Why did the French explore for the Northwest Passage?
The Beginning of French Exploration. In 1524, several French captains began seeking the Northwest Passage, a mythical water route that connected the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. During the 1500s, many Europeans believed that the Northwest Passage would provide a safe water route from Europe to Asia.
What is the meaning of the French word Voyageurs?
The emblematic meaning of the term applies to places (New France, including the Pays d'en Haut and the Pays des Illinois) and times (primarily in the 18th and early 19th centuries) where transportation of materials was mainly over long distances. The voyageurs were regarded as legendary, especially in French Canada.
What was the life of a voyageur like?
Despite the fame surrounding the voyageur, their life was one of toil and not nearly as glorious as folk tales make it out to be. For example, they had to be able to carry two 90-pound (41 kg) bundles of fur over portages. Some carried up to four or five, and there is a report of a voyageur carrying seven bundles for half of a mile.
Why did Champlain travel to New France?
What was the French presence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries?
Why did Verrazano travel to Brazil?
What did Cartier bring to Saint Malo?
What was Cartier's most important voyage?
When did the French colonize North America?
Who was the first person to describe the coast of France?
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About this website
What was the purpose of the French exploration?
The French were primarily interested in establishing commercially viable colonial outposts, so they created extensive trading networks throughout New France. They relied on native hunters to harvest furs, especially beaver pelts, and to exchange these items for French goods, like glass beads.
What was the purpose of some of the early French expeditions?
The French first came to the New World as explorers, seeking a route to the Pacific Ocean and wealth.
What was the main goal of the French and English explorers?
Like the Portuguese, they were interested in establishing the geography of the region, and were especially interested to find out whether a viable westerly route to Asia actually existed.
Why did the French want to go to the New World?
France focused its attention on establishing commercially viable trading posts in the New World to supply Europe with its seemingly never-ending demand for furs. To this end, France fostered good relationships with Native Americans, and built on mutual benefits of the trade of beaver furs for French goods.
Why did the French begin exploring the Great Lakes region?
They had hoped that the vast St. Lawrence-Great Lakes waterway was part of a Northwest Passage to the wealth of the Orient. They were eager to hear word of salt water and strange people to the west.
What was the goal of the French and Dutch colonies?
The French, Dutch, and English began to make headway as they landed in the Americas and created settlements. Their goal, like many others, was to find gold, silver, and fur as well as create colonies of new lands that they claimed for their countries.
Why did the French decide to explore the New World in the 1560s?
Led by the explorer Jean Ribault, the French set out in 1562 to the New World with the mission to establish a colony along the Southeast coast of North American and take advantage of the riches the Spanish had reportedly amassed in the form of gold.
Why did Explorers for France and England make their way over to Canada?
Many of the first Europeans to come to Canada wanted to set up trading networks. In particular, they were after commodities like beaver pelts. The Hudson's Bay Company was one of the largest trading companies in Canada.
What was the purpose of the first French colony in North America?
Motivations for colonization: The French colonized North America to create trading posts for the fur trade. Some French missionaries eventually made their way to North America in order to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.
Who were two significant French explorers and what areas did they claim for France?
Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette founded Sault Sainte Marie (1668) and Saint Ignace (1671) and explored the Mississippi River. At the end of the 17th century, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle established a network of forts going from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River.
What were the goals of the French in North America?
Like the Spanish, the French goal was to explore as much land as possible in hope of finding mineral wealth, like gold, and a shortcut to Asia. In 1524 France sent Giovanni da Verrazano to search for a northwest passage to Asia. Between 1534 and 1543 Jacques Cartier made three voyages and sailed up the St.
What was going on in France during the age of exploration?
Up to the eve of the explosion of European exploratory and colonizing activity, France had been embroiled in the enervating Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). That series of conflicts started in a quarrel over the succession to the French throne; Edward III of England had made a claim.
Where did the French begin their exploratory voyage?
The French initially concentrated their efforts on the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, where they found large schools of fish. Soon, many French fisherman began making the long but very profitable journey to the New World.
What did the French exploration of the New World lead to?
The French exploration of the New World led to permanent settlements in parts of North America. Discover the overview and history of the French explorations, the establishment of settlements, the exploration profit, exploring the Mississippi River, and the legacy of the exploration. Updated: 09/13/2021
Why was New Orleans called New Orleans?
They called their colony La Nouvelle Orleans, or New Orleans, in honor of the regent of France at the time. The French Mississippi Company controlled colony until 1779, when the Spanish took control of the city. The French regained control of New Orleans in 1801, but they sold New Orleans to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
How did the French begin their exploration of the New World?
Lesson Summary. The French began their exploration of the New World by looking for new fishing waters and the Northwest Passage. At first, they only founded temporary trading posts, but as profits increased and more French people found their way to the New World, permanent settlements were established, such as New Orleans. ...
What did the French want to do with the frigid region?
Few French settlers wanted to set up communities in the frigid region. The French monarchs of the period were largely interested in trading and not in setting up permanent communities. In 1718, the French Mississippi Company founded one of the most successful French colonies at the end of the Mississippi River.
Why did the Huron tribe trade with the French?
The Huron tribe eventually developed exclusive trade relationship with the French in return for French military aid against the Iroquois tribes. French traders often lived and traveled with the tribes they traded with. Many took Native American spouses and kept extensive records about life with the tribes.
Where did Joliet and Marquette explore?
Joliet and Marquette explored from a French outpost on Lake Michigan to the Arkansas River. They encountered buffalo, which they termed large cattle, and monstrously large catfish. They decided to return to Lake Michigan when they came close to Spanish settlements.
What did the French do to establish colonies in North America?
He founded New France by planting a cross on the shore of the Gaspé Peninsula. The French subsequently tried to establish several colonies throughout North America that failed, due to weather, disease, or conflict with other European powers. Cartier attempted to create the first permanent European settlement in North America at Cap-Rouge (Quebec City) in 1541 with 400 settlers but the settlement was abandoned the next year after bad weather and attacks from Native Americans in the area. A small group of French troops were left on Parris Island, South Carolina in 1562 to build Charlesfort, but left after a year when they were not resupplied by France. Fort Caroline established in present-day Jacksonville, Florida, in 1564, lasted only a year before being destroyed by the Spanish from St. Augustine. An attempt to settle convicts on Sable Island off Nova Scotia in 1598 failed after a short time. In 1599, a sixteen-person trading post was established in Tadoussac (in present-day Quebec ), of which only five men survived the first winter. In 1604 Pierre Du Gua de Monts and Samuel de Champlain founded a short-lived French colony, the first in Acadia, on Saint Croix Island, presently part of the state of Maine, which was much plagued by illness, perhaps scurvy. The following year the settlement was moved to Port Royal, located in present-day Nova Scotia.
Where did the French colonize?
The French colonial empire in the New World also included New France (Nouvelle France) in North America, particularly in what is today the province of Quebec, Canada, and for a very short period (12 years) also Antarctic France (France Antarctique, in French), in present-day Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
How did Villegaignon expand the colony?
Unchallenged by the Portuguese, who initially took little notice of his landing, Villegaignon endeavoured to expand the colony by calling for more colonists in 1556. He sent one of his ships, the Grande Roberge, to Honfleur, entrusted with letters to King Henry II, Gaspard de Coligny and according to some accounts, the Protestant leader John Calvin. After one ship was sent to France to ask for additional support, three ships were financed and prepared by the king of France and put under the command of Sieur De Bois le Comte, a nephew of Villegagnon. They were joined by 14 Calvinists from Geneva, led by Philippe de Corguilleray, including theologians Pierre Richier and Guillaume Chartrier. The new colonists, numbering around 300, included 5 young women to be wed, 10 boys to be trained as translators, as well as 14 Calvinists sent by Calvin, and also Jean de Léry, who would later write an account of the colony. They arrived in March 1557. The relief fleet was composed of: The Petite Roberge, with 80 soldiers and sailors was led by Vice Admiral Sieur De Bois le Comte. The Grande Roberge, with about 120 on board, captained by Sieur de Sainte-Marie dit l'Espine. The Rosée, with about 90 people, led by Captain Rosée. Doctrinal disputes arose between Villegagnon and the Calvinists, especially in relation to the Eucharist, and in October 1557 the Calvinists were banished from Coligny island as a result. They settled among the Tupinamba until January 1558, when some of them managed to return to France by ship together with Jean de Léry, and five others chose to return to Coligny island where three of them were drowned by Villegagnon for refusing to recant.
What colony did Champlain establish?
The expedition then founded the colony of Port-Royal . In 1608, Champlain founded a fur post that would become the city of Quebec, which would become the capital of New France. In Quebec, Champlain forged alliances between France and the Huron and Ottawa against their traditional enemies, the Iroquois.
How many wives did Louis XIV send to New France?
That year, to increase the population, Louis XIV sent between 800 and 900 ' King's Daughters ' to become the wives of French settlers. The population of New France reached subsequently 7000 in 1674 and 15000 in 1689.
What was the French interest in Canada in 1664?
Political map of the Northeastern part of North America in 1664. The French interest in Canada focused first on fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, France was more interested in fur from North America.
How many colonial wars did France have?
At the beginning of the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the British population in North America outnumbered the French 20 to 1. France fought a total of six colonial wars in North America (see the four French and Indian Wars as well as Father Rale's War and Father Le Loutre's War ). See also: Franco-Indian alliance.
What was the purpose of the first North American voyage?
That year, the government of King Francis I of France commissioned Cartier to lead an expedition to the “northern lands,” as the east coast of North America was then known. The purpose of the voyage was to find ...
What was Cartier's first voyage?
Lawrence as far as today’s Anticosti Island, which Cartier called Assomption. He is also credited with the discovery of what is now known as Prince Edward Island.
How many ships did Cartier bring to the expedition?
Cartier returned to make his report of the expedition to King Francis, bringing with him two captured Native Americans from the Gaspé Peninsula. The king sent Cartier back across the Atlantic the following year with three ships and 110 men.
Why did Jacques Cartier sail?
In 1534, France’s King Francis I authorized the navigator Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) to lead a voyage to the New World in order to seek gold and other riches, as well as a new route to Asia. Cartier’s three expeditions along the St. Lawrence River would later enable France to lay claim to the lands that would become Canada. Born in Saint-Malo, France, Cartier began sailing as a young man. He gained a reputation as a skilled navigator prior to making his three famous voyages to North America.
Why did Jacques Cartier travel to the New World?
In 1534, France’s King Francis I authorized the navigator Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) to lead a voyage to the New World in order to seek gold and other riches, as well as a new route to Asia. Cartier’s three expeditions along the St. Lawrence River would later enable France to lay claim to the lands that would become Canada.
When did Cartier set sail?
Cartier set sail in April 1534 with two ships and 61 men, and arrived 20 days later. During that first expedition, he explored the western coast of Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence as far as today’s Anticosti Island, which Cartier called Assomption.
When did Cartier arrive in Quebec?
Cartier sailed a few months ahead of Roberval, and arrived in Quebec in August 1541. After enduring another harsh winter, Cartier decided not to wait for the colonists to arrive, but sailed for France with a quantity of what he thought were gold and diamonds, which had been found near the Quebec camp.
History
The early European fur trade with Indigenous peoples, which developed alongside the coasts of North America, was not limited to beaver pelts. Beavers were not particularly valued and people preferred "fancy fur" or "fur that is used with or on the pelt". The fur trade was viewed as secondary to fishing during this era.
Travels
The voyageur's routes were longer distance fur trade water routes that ships and large boats could not reach or could not travel. The canoes travelled along well-established routes. These routes were explored and used by Europeans early in the history of the settlement of the continent. Most led to Montreal. Later many led to Hudson Bay.
Culture and daily life
Voyageurs often rose as early as 2 am or 3 am. Provided that there were no rapids (requiring daylight for navigation) early in the day, they set off very early. They would stop for a few minutes each hour to smoke a pipe. Distance was often measured by "pipes", the interval between these stops.
Francophone communities across Canada
As French-Canadian voyageurs engaged and brought the fur-trade West, they established multiple settlements in the North-West Territories (NWT: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Yukon). These French/Francophone settlements and communities still exist and thrive today.
What was Zheng He's purpose in his voyages?
In conclusion, the author has managed to bring forth different perspectives as to Zheng He’s voyages, which show that he played more of a security role whose aim was to instill and maintain law and order on the sea highways. This was in a bid to enable a favorable climate for ships in transit carrying precious cargo.
What was Zheng He's main purpose?
Zheng He’s fleet comprised of large numbers of military personnel, whose main purpose was to intimidate and quickly ensure submission from subjects along the trading routes. The subjects would then pay tribute to the Chinese emperor using cotton goods and spices. Zheng He‘s primarily role seemed to be more of a policing role for bringing law and order on the trade routes.
Where did Zheng He go on his fifth voyage?
It is in the fifth voyage that some exploration is seen, whereby Zheng He went to Arabia and further on to the east coast of Africa. Zheng He landed along the coast of modern day Somalia and Kenya. Zheng He’s sixth journey, hurriedly arranged as the emperor put a temporary ban on treasure voyages, took him to distant places.
How many journeys did Zheng He use?
First the author analyzes Zheng He’s journeys. Zheng He’s initial three journeys were identical, and he used trade routes that were known to Arabs, Indians and Indonesians for thousands of years. With regards to Chinese traders, the routes were familiar to them for several hundreds of years.
Why did Champlain travel to New France?
Now considered the father of New France and the founder of Quebec, Champlain made twelve journeys to New France to explore and consolidate French holdings in the New World.
What was the French presence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries?
The French presence became an obstacle to English expansion in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Tensions came to a head during the French and Indian War (1754–63), which marked the end of French power in North America.
Why did Verrazano travel to Brazil?
Verrazano's next expedition in 1527 was sponsored in part by Philippe de Chabot, admiral of France, because the king was preparing for war in Italy and could not spare any ships. On this trip Verrazano traveled to the coast of Brazil and brought back a valuable cargo of logwood for use in making textile (cloth) dyes.
What did Cartier bring to Saint Malo?
Upon arriving in Saint-Malo in September 1534, Cartier received a grand welcome. Although he had not found gold, he brought reports of a warm climate and fertile land in New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula. The region had previously been considered suitable for fishing but certainly not for settlement or commercial trade. Intrigued by Cartier's report, the king began planning a second voyage. The following year he provided Cartier with three ships for a return trip to North America. Cartier left Saint-Malo in 1535, taking with him Donnacona's two sons, who had learned French in order to serve as translators.
What was Cartier's most important voyage?
This proved to be Cartier's most important voyage. Guided by the two Iroquois, he sailed west from Anticosti and entered the great river, which the French later called the River of Canada (now the Saint Lawrence River). It became the main gateway for French exploration of Canada for the next two centuries.
When did the French colonize North America?
French efforts at colonizing North America began in the early sixteenth century. In 1523 a group of Italian merchants in the French cities of Lyons and Rouen persuaded the king of France, Francis I, to sponsor a voyage by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano (also spelled Verrazzano; c. 1485–1528) to North America.
Who was the first person to describe the coast of France?
Immediately after landing in France, Verrazano wrote a report on his expedition for King Francis I, in which he gave one of the earliest firsthand descriptions of the eastern coast of
