There are many different explorers in the world. All of the discoveries that they have made in the world are very significant. Some very famous explorers were Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, and Captain Cook. There discoveries have benefited the world in many ways. A very important explorer was Jacques Cartier. He discovered the St. Lawrence River. He also claimed what is now Canada as France. The discoveries he made has really changed the world we now live in.
Jacques Cartier was born on December 31, 1491 in Saint Malo, France. Cartier later studied navigation in Dieppe. Historians believe that he accompanied fisherman to Newfoundland in 1502. Cartier made his first voyage to the New World in 1534 under the support of King Francis I. Tempted by the wealth discovered by the Spanish, France wanted to do the same another place in the Americas. Jacques’ ships went around the northern tip of America into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He landed on the Gaspe Peninsula and claimed the land as France. They became friends with native inhabitants and received information about gold and jewels farther inland. On the return back to France, Cartier took two Native American boys and a supply of corn. This voyage helped the Europeans to help change their view of North America. They had once thought its only value was in its fisheries but Jacques Cartier described it to have fertile lands and mineral wealth.
Cartier’s second voyage began in 1535. He returned the two young Native American boys he had took from his first voyage back to their original homes. Then he started to explore the St. Lawrence River. He went up river to a native village at the base of a large mountain, which he named Mont Real. This would be the later site of Montréal. Cartier sailed back down river and established a camp at the later site of Québec. They returned back to France the following spring.
He began his last voyage in 1541. Cartier sailed back to the St. Lawrence River. He left a small contingent at Québec to establish a settlement. After that, he began a fruitless search for gold. An uncomfortable winter at the camp was marred by Native American attacks. In the spring, Cartier and his crew began their journey back to France.
Jacques Cartier was a very important figure. He contributed a better understanding of North America. What he did was very important. Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River and previously claimed today’s Canada as France. Even though his contributions were very vital, he was regarded as a failure. No gold was discovered and no lasting settlements were created. The areas he explored would remain untouched by Europeans until the early years of the next century.
