Jacques Cartier T.S. Eliot once stated, “We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and…know the place for the first time” (Eliot). For many centuries, even way back to the beginning of time, exploration was and still is the definition of discovery. In early exploration, there were many reasons to expand and discover our mysterious planet. Not only that, but also, in doing so explorers could gain wealth, national glory, spread their religion, expand economic opportunities and find new trade routes. For example, french navigator Jacques Cartier to explore the Americas in search for gold, silver, spices and a passage to Asia. Jacques Cartier was a man who faced horrendous obstacles, …show more content…
In 1534 Jacques Cartier was chosen by King Francis I to go to the eastern coast of the “Northern Lands” in search of gold and other riches on the land there. Cartier set sail in the month of April. He was given a crew of 61 men and two ships. The voyage was spent exploring the outskirts of Newfoundland to Straits of Belle Isle which he claimed, “I am rather inclined to believe that this the land that God gave to Cain” (Cartier). Unimpressed with the barren land he proceeded to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, which he discovered, then headed west to Quebec where he met up with Chief Donnaconno of the Iroquois, trading back and forth with the natives for clothes, food and other supplies. Because he was in such close contact with the natives, he started to learn a few words. Ultimately, he mistakenly used the word “Kanata” to call the land surrounding Quebec. “Kanata” which means village or settlement in the Iroquois language, eventually was used to refer to the whole country, Canada. In the end, Jacques Cartier kidnapped two of the Chief’s sons, which he wanted to use them to take back to France as proof of the New World and to use them as navigators to return to Quebec, where he promised to give back his …show more content…
Using the Chief’s sons, he traveled back to Quebec and up the Canada river. Ignoring the warnings of Chief Donnacono, he and his crew were forced to spend the harsh winter there. A fort was built on the chief’s land by his crew and the Chief resented its presence. Over time, Stadacona (the area in Quebec/Iroqouis land) was corrupt with disease and deaths. Donnacona was outraged and ceased contact with Cartier and his men. Ultimately, 50 natives had died and Cartier’s crew was suffering due to starvation and scurvy (a disease caused by a Vitamin C deficiency). The Iroquois had a cure for scurvy, but kept a secret from Cartier. Overtime, Donnacona relentlessly gave up their recipe for the cure for scurvy. Donnaconna and Cartier eventually made amends and the Chief confided in him about the land of Saguenay where there were much treasures. Then Cartier took drastic measures, kidnapping the chief, his sons and other natives back with him to France. The natives never saw their land again. War in France had pushed back his plans to return to Quebec but eventually he did. On his third voyage in 1541 to make a permaneant colony there. Not wanting to endure another harsh winter, Cartier took the treasures found near Quebec and headed back France, going against the ordesr of Roberval to return back to Quebec. When he arrived their his “treasures” that were brought