Copy of Jacques Cartier

Native Animals

Background Information

I was born on December 31, 1491, in Saint-Malo, France. I was the son of Jamet Cartier and Gaffline Cartier. I grew up with five siblings, two sisters and three brothers and married Mary Catherine de Granches, who was from a very wealthy family.

I died on September 1, 1557, near Saint-Malo, France. Some people think that the cause was typhus-a disease caused by the lack of vitamin C.

Timeline of Events

What Inspired me to Sail

Effects of the Voyage

On September 1 of 1557, I died.

First voyage begins

on April 20th, 1534

On May 19th, 1535,

I set sail on

my second voyage.

France gained new territory in Canada. However, this came at a high price. The Iroquoians weren't accustomed to the diseases brought over by the French and the population diminished.

My interest in exploring began as a child. Living near water, I went out into the ocean with fishermen. I learned navigation by stars, direction, etc. I was also told of the stories of Christopher Columbus and dreamed of being just like him.

As I grew older, I became a very experienced navigator. (Some people say that I sailed to Brazil. Some say that I went with Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian explorer working for the French, and sailed along the east coast of North America in 1524.)

I was born on December 31

1491.

On May 23, 1541, the third voyage begins.

On July 24, 1534,

I implanted

a cross with a white banner

at the Gaspe Peninsula, claiming

the land for France.

Dates the voyages

The first voyage began on April 20th, 1534 with two ships and 61 men. I was intending to find a Northwest route to Asia but I wounded up Canada instead. I returned to France in September of the same year.

I set sail on my second voyage on May 19, 1535. King Francis I had sent me back to Canada to continue exploring the "New World". This time I had three ships and 110 crew members. I headed back home in May of 1536.

The third voyage, also destined for Canada, began on May 23, 1541. The king ordered a man, Jean-Francois de La Rocque de Roberval, to accompany me. I despised this man but had to follow the king's order. The voyage ended on May 23, 1541.

Accomplishments/Awards

My main accomplishment as a French explorer is claiming land in Canada for the French. I also named Canada, after the Iroquoian word kanata meaning village. Sadly, I wasn't ever awarded by the king or anyone else.

Native Animals

The Great Auks (shown below) were a flightless bird that lived on a island called the Isle of Birds. My crew and I found thousands of these birds there.

By the Gaspe Peninsula where the Iroquoians lived, there were many seals and fish.

(A cross with a banner means that the land is now another country's land. I implanted a cross and banner similar to the picture's at the Gaspe Peninsula.)

www.cmhg.gc.ca

Hardships

Natives People of the Region

The first voyage barely had any hardships. But during September on the second voyage, explorations were thwarted by rapids. When winter came, my crew developed scurvy-a disease caused by the lack of vitamin C. Twenty-five of my men died.

On the third voyage, the Iroquois village that I stayed with no longer welcomed my crew and I. Roberval, the man who accompanied me, took control of Charlesbourg-Royal. However, is was soon deserted when disease took over.

The Iroquoians, also referred to as the Huron Indians, were fishermen. They lived in the village of Stadacona which was located on a cliff just above the St. Lawrence River. They wore fur and painted things on themselves.

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/echo/html/e-echos-0703.html

Who Sponsored/helped my Voyages

King Francis I of France appointed me on three voyages. According to the book, Cartier: Jacques Cartier in Search of the Northwest Passage by Jean F. Blashfield, the king once wrote that he had "confidence in the character, judgment, ability, loyalty, hardihood, great diligence, and experience of Jacques Cartier."

No famous explorer helped me on any of the voyages commissioned by the crown. However, I did seize Taignoagny and Domagay, the two sons of Donnacona-who was the leader of the Iroquois village which I stayed at-to help guide my ships.

Why Cartier Explored Canada

Conclusion

Map of Canada

From my expeditions, future explorers can know that angering or killing native people would not benefit in the end and to not believe any stories told by them either.

Gaspe Peninsula

Area Explored by Cartier

I discovered Prince Edward Island, the west coast of Newfoundland, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and took control of the Gaspe Peninsula, where the Huron Indians lived. (The Huron Indians belonged to the Iroquois village.)

The coast of Newfoundland was covered with rocks. I knew that my men couldn't settle there. Therefore, we continued on. Prince Edward Island, on the contrary, was filled with trees and fruits. Still, we traveled on. My crew and I encountered bad weather near the Gaspe Peninsula, which forced us to settle there.

Jacques Cartier

By: Maggie Wu