In Anther Person's Shoes: Jacques Cartier

     Cartier was a Canadian explorer and was born in 1491 and died September 1st 1557. Throughout his career he was considered a good explorer, until his career slowly came to an end after the French were not interested in exploring North America for half a century. Within his career he was a part of three major North American exploration trips. He sailed with many great explorers such as Henry Hudson and Lewis & Clark, guiding them and helping them with their many expeditions. 

     In 1534 which was his first solo expedition, as a captain not a guide. King Francis of France funded his journey to search for gold and other riches such as, spices and a route to Asia. When exploring the west coast of Newfoundland he discovered what we now call today Prince Edward Island and sailed through the gulf of St. Lawrence. Upon returning to France, King Francis was very much impressed with Cartier's findings and sent him back the next year. While on his first trip he had captured two First Nations that would now serve him as guides. The second trip was more focused on establishing a base, after navigating the St. Lawrence.

     During the fall, Cartier travelled down the river which is now referred to as Montreal and was greeted by the Iroquois who at the time controlled the area. They told him about the rivers that led farther west where all the gold, silver, copper, and spices were found. After a cold winter in Canada for Cartier and his men, Cartier then captured more Iroquois men in the spring when the ice on the river was gone. This only made the Iroquois mad, so Cartier quickly sailed back to France. He then reported to the king of all the untold riches in the west and about the 2,000 mile long river that supposedly led to Asia. 

     May of 1541 Cartier departed on his third and final voyage a total of five ships. His mission was to establish a permanent settlement along the St. Lawrence river for the French. He set up camp near Quebec, finding a great abundance of what was perceived to be gold and diamonds. They were discovered as not real as he soon found out upon his arrival. 

     Cartier's exploring overall greatly effected France, even today. He helped to secure settlements, as well as brought back resources to benefit the French  and mapped out different areas of Canada. The work that he did with settlements was greatly appreciated by the British when they took over the French land in Canada. By capturing Iroquois men, as well as taking over their land and their resources Cartier did not have the best first impression with the First Nations. From my stand point with a few bumps in the road Cartier very much impacted Canada and our future as well as our history

Jacques Cartier.(2014)Marcel Trudel. Available online at http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/cartier_jacques_1491_1557_1E.html

Residential Schools

Residential schools reach the height of historical significance. The horrible, damaging effects of the schools didn't just the people that went to them, they transcended generations, being passed on and on, affecting thousands of Native Americans nationally.

How Residential Schools Affected:

          Parents of Children Attending: Had no way to stay in contact with their children and suffered the devastating effects of separation. The parents had to deal with the total lack of input in the care and welfare of their children which was highly stressful for them especially when they became aware of the abuse going on at the schools.

          Children Attending: The children were fully stripped of their native languages and culture and were punished if they were found practicing them. They were often abused and they were also subjected to long hours of work and chores. Children were raised without the love that parents provide for them. 

          Children and Grandchildren of the Children from Residential Schools: Feelings of alienation, shame and anger were passed down through parenting because of the lack of supportive parental figures that the people in the schools had. These individuals would often be abused and that does not leave a good foundation for healthy mental health. 

In Another Person's Shoes

Lord Selkirk (A.K.A. Thomas Douglas)
Thomas Douglas was a male Caucasian from Scotland born on June 20th, 1771, and died April 8th, 1820. Lord Selkirk was born at Saint Mary's Isle, Scotland. Thomas Douglas was the youngest of 13 children. Lord Selkirk was the 5th Earl of Selkirk. He was a well known Scottish philanthropist. He was also a lawyer, and owned land. Mr. Douglas became Earl when he inherited all of his family's wealth. Thomas Douglas was very angry about the treatment of the Scottish Clearance victims, and wanted to help. So, he bought enough shares of the Hudson's Bay Company, that he could buy a lot of land. He then offered this land to Scottish Clearance victims for free. The land he bought is now known as "The Forks" in Winnipeg. At the time however, it was Rupert's Land. Lord Selkirk bought about 40468 hectares of land. After the Battle of Seven Oaks, Thomas Douglas had four offence charges due to him taking over Fort William from the North West Company. A lot of money was spent by Selkirk defending his name in court against his charges. Not long after his court battle, he died (April 8th, 1820). Ironically, the two companies (HBC) and (NWC) merged only a year after his death. 
References: Wikipedia, Thomas Douglas 5th Earl of Selkirk
last modified November 14th, 2016
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Douglas,_5th_Earl_of_Selkirk

The War of 1812

The War of 1812 was a war fought between the Americans lead by General William Hull and "Canada" when they invaded Upper Canada on July 12. There were many five battles that went on in the war, the first was the Battle of Fort Detroit.

On August 12,1812 the leader of Upper Canada Isaac Brock decided to place an attack on Fort Detroit instead of waiting until they were ambushed again. Upper Canada was joined by Tecumseh (leader of Shawnee people) who brought his men along to help psych out the fort. Once they had them surrounded, Tecumseh's men let out battle cries that came across that they had more men then what they actually did. This lead the American forces to surrender on the first day.


The next was Battle of Queenston Heights. Isaac Brock decided on stationing his men at Queenston which overlooked the Niagara River. The Americans decided to cross the same river which began the battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812. Isaac Brock's forces set an attack on any man who made it across the river. Instead of waiting for an alliance to come help them fight, he decided to lead the final charge which lead to his death. Outraged, his forces angrily fought back and defeated the Americans.

On April 27, 1813 Americans attacked York which was the capital of Upper Canada and caused the Battle of York. Both British and Canadian forces surrendered and the Americans burnt down all the Parliament Buildings and took over all homes once the battle ended. In response to burning the Parliament Buildings the British forces set revenge and burnt down the Liberty of Congress, Treasury Department, AND The White House.


The Battle of Lundy's Lane happened on July 25, 1814 when the American Forces lead another invasion into Upper Canada very near to Niagara Falls. It gets its name from the fact that the British and Canadian Forces positioned themselves at Lundy's Lane. All people know is that this was one of the bloodiest battles fought in Canada. It is unknown to whether the Britain or Canada won.

The last Battle to be fought was the battle of Washington. Due to the Battle of Lundy's Lane, the British forces had advanced into America and invaded all of Washington on August 24,1814. The invasion of Washington caused the US President Madison and all his government to flee the city.

The War of 1812 ended on December 24, 1814 following the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

In Des Groseilliers shoes

Des Groseilliers is very historically significant, was a French fur trader in Canada. Groseilliers work with his brother in law Pierre-Esprit Radisson in fur trade exploration. They later helped found the Hudson Bay Company in 1670. Groseilliers with the help of Radisson mapped out many of the great lakes and trading route used by the settlers in the 19 century and opened lake Michigan and Lake Superior to the Jesuit missionary’s and the fur trade. Des Groseilliers was born July 31, 1618 a town called Charly-sur-Marne in France.  When he was 23 he moved to Quebec where he married his first wife Helène in 1647. Later in 1653 he married his second wife, Marguerite Hayet, the widowed step-sister of Pierre-Esprit Radisson.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/medard-chouart-des-groseilliers/

Groseilliers worked to re-establish trade after the Iroquois destroyed the Huron missions. In 1658 he and his step brother Radisson the two of the first Europeans to contact the Sioux. From Cree traders, the men they discovered that the main source of furs lay northwest of the lake, so Groseilliers traveled there. After Groseilliers trip to the west of Lake Huron they brought back 250 natives with him. on his second trip Radisson, had accompanied him to the north and south shore of Lake Superior. On their return, back they had their fury confiscated and they were arrested because they had left New France without a license. Groseilliers went to France to appeal, without success. Afterwards he and Radisson went to Boson. In 1674 Charles Albanel had offered them money to return to French services for they were working for the HBC. Afterward they tried to rejoin the HBC but they were denied the jobs. Then in 1681 Radisson and Charles Aubert formed the NWC to compete with the HBC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9dard_des_Groseilliers

Des Groseillier had a very difficult life and a challenging career. Form the arguments between the French and the British and all the expeditions and traveling he had to do it must have been hard for him to stay alive all those years.

In Medard Chouart Des Groseiliers' Shoes

   Des Groseilliers was very historically significant; he was an explorer and fur trader. He valued people’s freedom and individuality, and was very courageous. He opened Lakes Michigan and Superior to the fur trade and Jesuit missionaries. He joined up with the English and Pierre Radisson, and helped find the Hudson’s Bay Company.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/medard-chouart-des-groseilliers/

Des Groseilliers was born in France in a town called Charly-sur-Marne. He moved to Quebec at the age of 23 as a young man. He married his first wife the daughter of Abraham Martin, Helene. Then later married his second wife the widowed step-sister of Pierre-Esprit Radisson, Marguerite Hayet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9dard_des_Groseilliers

http://mrluecksclasswiki.pbworks.com/w/page/21721182/Wisconsin%20Explorers

After Des Groseilliers trip to the west of Lake Huron he brought back 250 natives in 50 canoes. He discovered that the shore of Lake Superior was very rich in furs. He was told that the north and northwest of Lake Superior was only 7 days from the Hudson Bay by canoe. On his second voyage this time joined with his companion and brother-in-law Pierre Radisson they travelled to the south shore of Lake Superior to Chequamegon, Mille Lacs area of Wisconsin, and the north shore of Lake Superior near Pigeon River. On there way back, with there 60 canoes filled with rich furs, they were stopped and arrested for illegal trading and their furs were taken. Some French officials took the two men to Boston in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In 1682 Radisson and Charles Aubert de la Chesnaye formed the Compaignie du Nord or Compaignie du Baie D'Hudson and competed with the Hudson's Bay Company by trapping richer furs on James Bay which was northwest of the English post. Des Groseilliers and Radisson settled into the mouth of the Hayes River. The authorities had a big problem when the brother-in-laws reached Quebec. Sense France and English were at peace at the time. The Catholic Duke was the governor of the Hudson's Bay and later was about to be the king and rule the French Interest.

As you can tell Medard Chouart Des Groseilliers had to face many challenges in his career/his life. travelling from shore to shore on many ships and rowing in many canoes, he had to conquer the difficulties going on between the French and the English. Although he has treated the First Nations with as much respect as was possible. He did think that everyone was able to be free and live there own lives.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9dard_des_Groseilliers

Here's a link to a video with a lot of good information about Des Groseilliers, if you can make it without laughing at the audio will be very educated on the history of Medard Chouart Des Groseilliers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y38XsUHAWPw

The War of 1812

   The War of 1812 is the only war where Canada fought against the Americans. It was started  by the americans for several reasons, but mainly because they were mad at the British. And since the British in Europe were busy fighting another war, the Americans had to settle for the ones right above them, in what is now know as Canada.
   The war started when the American general, William Hull, invaded upper Canada with the force of 2000 men. They took over Sandwich (which today is Windsor, Ontario) but experience supply problems that forced then to retreat back to Fort Detroit. Sir Isaac Brock was the head of the British force at the time. He decided was best to launch his own attack instead of waiting for the Americans to come back. With his new ally Tecumseh, leader of the Shawnee people, Sir Isaac Brock invaded Fort Detroit.  The army of Canada had only 1300 men to the 2000 men fighting for the Americans, but the British and Native army still won. it was all thanks to Tecumseh and his people who surrounded the fort and let out terrifying battle cries, the Americans surrender and no blood was spilt.
   Several battles were fought after that in both British and American territory, like the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Battle of York, and The Battle of Lundy's Lane. Both sides had there share of victory, but all of this was ended with the final battle of the war, the Battle of Washington. Fallowing the Battle of Lundy's Lane, the British pushed forward to Washington and started fighting there. Furious at the Americans for burning our Parliament buildings in the Battle of York, the British got there revenge by winning the battle and burning down the Library of Congress, The Treasury Department, and the White House.
   The war came to a end with the treaty of Ghent. In the signing of the treaty, no one really won anything. Neither side made any political, territorial, or economic gains. iI was kind of like nothing happened. During the negotiation the British hoped for the area in the Ohio valley (south of the Great Lakes) for the First Nation peoples, but they never got it. As a precautionary action the British built the Rideau Canal. The purpose of it was to create an alternate transport route for Canadian forces in case of another war between Canada and the Americans. The Rideau Canal linked Kingston Ontario  to an inland port on Ottawa River. Today the Canal still exist.
   This event was very historically significant to northern North America. Like I said before, it was the only war to be fought between America and Canada. Luckily Canada won, so we have something to brag about. But what made the event so important was because of the fact that Canada stood up for itself and won without the aid of the Europeans. It showed that Canada was not weak and that we could do just as much as any other nation. That is why it is important, and that is why we learn about it in school.

Major General Isaac Brock

This month's highlight in our Grade 11 history class, was our War of 1812 reenactment. This is the war that happened in the year of 1812 between the British (who also teamed up with the First nations) and the Yankees. Major General Isaac Brock was one of the main people involved in the British side of the war of 1812. He was a big part of the military, and the administer of upper "Canada" (what is now known as Ontario).  Isaac Brock was not the most levelheaded, polite person out there, he was recognized as an angry man who acted on those feelings of hatred. The passion in his anger may be what lead the British to the victory of the war.


At the start of the war, Isaac lead troops in to take over the American Fort Michilimackinac. To prepare for his next attack, Brock met with Tecumseh (the First Nations leader/representative) and made a deal to become allies. During the night of August 15, 1812 Tecumseh lead his army across the Detroit river, later being followed by Brock and his forces. Isaac wanted to lure them into the open to make them more vulnerable, but later Tecumseh got his men to make native calls really loud to make it sound like there were a lot more of them than there actually were. The Americans surrendered almost immediately. This led to the win for Brock in the Battle of Detroit. With the win came with an American fort, territory now known as Michigan, and a bunch of war supplies.


The Yankee army next invaded Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812. They took the gun battery, and Brock decided on a direct attack a.s.a.p., not thinking to wait for backup. During the Attack Brock was hit in the chest, killing him instantly. The Battle of Queenston Heights was the Major General's last fight.


War of 1812. (2011) Uploaded by RCGS/HDI/Parks Canada. Available online at: http://www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/16




Isaac Brock. (2016) Uploaded by Wikipedia. Available online at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Brock  

Check out this video on the Canadian side of the war of 1812: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QET4x2CzDOQ