In the Shoes of Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier was an eastern Canadian explorer born in 1491. Early on in his career, Cartier was known as a good explorer, and he carried this title with pride until his exploring career came to an end. Throughout his exploring career, Cartier took part in three major exploration trips to North America.

Cartier's first exploration took part in 1534 when king Francis of France funded an expedition to explore North America. On this expedition Cartier wasn't a guide, rather he was the captain. On this specific expedition, Cartier was in search for a route to Asia, spices, gold and other types of riches.  Cartier sailed through the gulf of the St. Lawrence, explored the west coast of Newfoundland and discovered Prince Edward Island. Cartier also captured two First Nations People, which he used to help navigate, as they had a very good understanding of the geography of the land. Cartier brought these two First Nation People back to France with him when he was done his exploration.

When Cartier returned from his expedition, the king was very impressed with the work Cartier had done. The king was so impressed that he decided to send Cartier back on another trip the following year. The two First Nations People Cartier brought back to France with him accompanied Cartier on his second expedition. Once again they helped greatly when it came to navigation. Cartier and his men navigated along the St. Lawrence River, and established a base while on this second expedition.

During the fall, Cartier travelled down the St. Lawrence River and into land controlled by the Iroquois. The Iroquois told Cartier that there were rivers that travelled further west, where things like spices, gold, silver and copper could be found. This sparked the attention of Cartier, as gold, silver, copper and spices are what he was in North America in search of.  Not only was their many riches, but the Iroquois also told him about a great river that possibly lead to Asia.

In the spring once the ice had melted off the rivers and they were able to travel on them again, Cartier and his men captured many more Iroquois men to help them on their trip. This greatly angered the other Iroquois men, causing Cartier to quickly flee back to France. When back in France, Cartier told the King all that he had heard from the Iroquois about the riches back in North America. He also shared how the Iroquois had spoke of a 20000 mile river that possibly lead to Asia.

It was in the spring of 1541 that Cartier left on his third and final voyage to North America. This trip involved five ships filled with many men, with the intentions to establish a permanent French settlement along the St. Lawrence river. After setting up camp near Quebec, Cartier and his men found a great deal of what they thought was gold and diamonds. Cartier's original plan was to stay at this settlement in order for it to become a permanent settlement, but instead he took the "gold and diamonds" and returned to France. It was only after he had arrived back in France that he found out that his "gold and diamonds" weren't what he thought they were. And instead of having great deals of value, they had no value at all.

After Cartier's third expedition, France was no longer very interested in exploring North America. This lack of interest went on for half a century, thus putting Cartier's career as an explorer to an end until he passed away on September 1, 1557.

Cartier's work as an explorer greatly effected the French. He helped to establish settlements, found and brought back resources beneficial to France and mapped out areas of Canada. The fact that he helped form settlements, was later beneficial to the British when they took over the French peoples land in Canada. The impact Cartier had on the First Nations People wasn't necessarily a very good one. This was for the reason that Cartier established settlements on land that at one time belonged to the First Nations, captured many Iroquois men and took resources away from the First Nations people. Overall the work that Cartier did, greatly benefited the future of Canada.

Jacques Cartier(2017) Uploaded by: Wikipedia. Available online at: 

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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