Question/Problem 2: Describe the reasons for and outcomes of the European Explorers between 1492 and 1673.

Samuel de Champlain was born around 1570 in Brouge, France. Brouge was an important port city and Champlain's father had been an officer in the French Navy. Champlain himself served as a French naval captain and also fought as a soldier in the war in B rittany. Later he was given the command of a Spanish ship sailing from Cadiz to the West Indies. For two years he sailed under the Spanish flag exploring the area along the coast from Panama to Mexico.

He returned to France at the same time that trading for furs with the New World was becoming very profitable. By 1600, the businessmen of France were competing with each other for a monopoly of this trade. But Henry IV, the French king wanted to claim land in the New World and start French settlements there. He ordered that any company monopolizing the fur trade would also have to start a colony. King Henry IV persuaded Champlain to join an expedition to explore the land where the furs came from to s ee if it was suitable for colonization. Champlain left on his first voyage with two small vessels, hardly larger than fishing boats, to explore the area of the St. Lawrence River.

Samuel de Champlain made twelve voyages to what is now Canada. On his first trip he followed the St. Lawrence River as far north as the Lachine Rapids above Montreal. Along the way he met Indians who discouraged him from trying to proceed further becau se of rapids and poor conditions extending far up the river. Champlain turned back, traded with the Indians, loaded his ships with a valuable cargo of furs, and returned to France.

When Champlain reached France he found that a new nobleman had been given the Canadian fur trading rights provided that he start a colony and bring 100 settlers every year. Champlain was persuaded to join the expedition. For the next five years he expl ored the St. Lawrence country, the area of Nova Scotia and New England. He charted the coastline and made friends with the Indians. In 1608 Champlain founded Quebec, the first lasting French settlement in the New World. During this time he made friends and traded with the Algonquins and other Indian groups in the area. The Algonquins were the enemies of the Iroquois Indians living in the area of New York State and the land south of the Great Lakes. Champlain was asked to choose sides and help the Alg onquins in their war with the Iroquois. He chose to help the Algonquins for several reasons. They were his neighbors and he did business with them. Champlain also wanted closer ties so he could count on aid for his scouts as they travelled to build up the fur trade while searching for a northwest passage.

Champlain and two others accompanied the Indian warriors southward. The war party came across a large fleet of Iroquois canoes. As the arrows flew, Champlain fired his gun and the terrified Indians fled. The expedition was important not only because c lose ties were formed with this group of Indians but also because the journey allowed Champlain to survey the whole length of the lake south of the St. Lawrence. This body of water was named Lake Champlain in his honor.

Champlain's time spent in the New World was not always so successful. At times there were skirmishes with other fur traders over trading rights. In establishing the fort at Quebec, the party fell down with scurvy from the lack of fresh food. Only eigh t out of twenty±eight men survived the first winter. In a later raid with the Algonquins, Champlain was wounded and spent the winter in their care. He spent many years developing the fur trade and searching for the inland sea which would be the passage to China through the northwest.

The French made many gains in the New World because of Samuel de Champlain. Besides founding Quebec, he also was the first to name and map Lake Huron. He was able to trace the St. Lawrence River to its source. Champlain's maps and accounts made this a rea of the world known to Europe. Champlain served as governor of New France in 1626. During the difficulties between France and England he was captured and taken prisoner. He later returned to New France when released and again served as governor. He died there on December 25, 1635.