French Exploration

October 7, 2019

French Exploration The French exploration of the Americas was motivated by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his discovery of a route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Instead of going the long and dangerous route of going around South America they decided to try to find a way through North America. They called this route the Northwest Passage. In their search for the Northwest Passage the French found a variety of other bodies of water and parts of the Northeastern part of the US and parts of Canada. October 7, 2019

French Explorers Some of the most important French explorers were Giovanni da Verrazano and Jacques Cartier. Giovanni da Verrazano

Jacques Cartier October 7, 2019

Giovanni da Verrazano Giovanni da Verrazano was an Italian explorer who was hired by King Francis I of France. He was hired to find a Northwest Passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. In 1524 Verrazano sailed looking for the passage and ended up reaching the Cape Fear River on the NC coast. Verrazano then headed north where he located the Pamlico Sound, then from there he sailed into the New York Bay and landed in present-day Staten Island. After exploring Staten Island he sailed to present-day Nova Scotia. He made two more voyages looking for the Northwest Passage, only to never find it.

NOTES: *Sailed in 1524 looking for the Northwest Passage *Located: ~Cape Fear River ~Pamlico Sound ~New York Bay ~Staten Island ~Nova Scotia October 7, 2019

Jacques Cartier Jacques Cartier was a French navigator who sailed to find the Northwest Passage. Cartier made 3 voyages to North America. In 1534 King Francis I sent Cartier to search North America for gold and other valuable metals. On this voyage he sailed up the estuary of the St. Lawrence River. He landed on the Gaspé Peninsula and claimed the land for France. During the expedition, Cartier met a group of Iroquois who told them that they could find jewels and metals farther northwest. The French Iroquois became trading partners. On his second voyage, Cartier became the first European to reach inland Canada. On his final journey he landed at present-day Quebec City where his sailors built a camp and searched for gold. Unfortunately like Verrazano he never found a Northwest Passage.

NOTES: *Made 3 voyages from 1534-1541 *In search of Northwest Passage *Met the Iroquois Indians *First European to reach inland Canada October 7, 2019

The French Impact The French spent their time in search of a Northwest Passage and even though they were unsuccessful they did make many contributions to the exploration of North America. The French Located the New York Bay, present-day Staten Island, Nova Scotia, Gaspé Peninsula, and Quebec City. They also built a relationship with the Iroquois Indians, who traded for corn, which they brought back to Europe. October 7, 2019

English Exploration The Spanish and Portuguese were not the only countries to explore the new world. England also got into the act. The English did not think that Columbus had found India, so they sent out there own explorers. Instead of sailing the same route as Columbus, they decided to sail north. Where as Columbus found the Caribbean Islands the English found present day Newfoundland, which is part of Canada. The English also followed the French in looking for a Northwest Passage, going through the US to get to the Pacific. NOTES: *Found Newfoundland *Looked for a Northwest Passage October 7, 2019

English Explorers

Some of the most important English explorers are John Cabot and Henry Hudson.

Henry Hudson John Cabot October 7, 2019

John Cabot John Cabot was an Italian sailor who sailed for England. In 1497 John Cabot was hired by the king of England to lead an expedition to the "new world." Cabot sailed North of Columbus and ended up reaching the coast of present day Newfoundland. Cabot returned to England and said the the place he found was so rich with fish that a person could simply lower baskets into the water and pull them up full of fish.

NOTES: *Sailed in 1497 *Found Newfoundland in Canada October 7, 2019

Henry Hudson Henry Hudson was an English sea captain, who in 1608 sailed in search for the Northwest Passage. Hudson made 4 voyages in search for the Northwest Passage. In his first voyage he found an island east of Greenland. In 1609 Hudson set sail again, this time for the Dutch, in Click Image search of the Northwest Passage for video again. This time he traveled down the coast of present day Maine where his crew ended up fishing and trading with Native Americans. Also on the voyage he found the mouth of the Hudson River. He did not find the Northwest Passage but claimed the Hudson River valley for Holland. In 1610, this time sailing for the English he reached the Hudson Bay. Unfortunately his ship froze in the ice and his crew mutinied. They put Hudson and a few others on a small boat where he was never seen again.

NOTES: *Made four voyages *Found the Hudson River and Hudson Bay *Claimed Hudson River valley for Dutch October 7, 2019

The English Impact Even though the English never found the Northwest Passage they did have an impact on the North America. The English were some of the first people to travel to the northern part of the United States. They located the Hudson River valley, Chesapeake and Delaware Bay, as well as the Hudson Bay.