Jacques Cartier was born in 1491 and was sent by King Francis I to the New World & a new route to Asia in 1534. His explorations allowed France to lay claim to lands that would become Canada. Cartier was already an advanced explorer before the King's request.

The king sent Cartier on a new trip to the east coast of North America. In 1534, Cartier explored the west coast of Newfoundland. The king was impressed with Cartier’s report of what he had seen so he sent the explorer back the following year. He and his men navigated to Quebec and established a base.

Cartier sailed to what would become Montreal and was welcomed by the Iroquois who controlled the area, hearing about other rivers that led farther west where gold & spices could be found. The harsh winter hit, rapids made the river impassable; Cartier & his men managed to anger the Iroquois. In spring he returned to France.

Because of his hasty escape, Cartier was only able to report to the king that untold riches lay farther west. He was then sent to establish a permanent settlement along the St. Lawrence River on behalf of France. Cartier & his group abandoned plans to found a settlement, returning to France after experiencing another bitter winter.

Thus France didn’t show any interest in these new lands & Cartier’s career as a state-funded explorer came to an end. Cartier's reputation has been tarnished by his dealings with the Iroquois and abandonment of the incoming colonists as he fled the New World.

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