Jacques Cartier is more of an invader than an explorer. This is due to his actions, motives, and adaptations to the bumps along his journey in hopes to find a new passage to Asia. Cartier’s motivation surrounded around profit, opposed to an Explorer, whose focus would be directed further towards finding new land and discovering new things. These were some of the results following Cartier’s travels, but they were not intended. He harmed First Nations he encountered, and was a kidnapper, taking advantage of the people around him. Cartier was a brave captain, who discovered many new lands and established new colonies, but was an invader nonetheless. With the King of France’s payment, Jacques Cartier set sail on his first major voyage during the 1530s with hopes of finding a new passage to Asia. This would gain access to the trading, markets, and gold found there. The motivation behind Cartier's work is one of the major defining points on whether he should be considered as an explorer or an invader, as this gives a look into his character, and what is going through his mind. An explorer travels with the intent on learning new things, finding new places, or better understanding something/where. Money may factor in a little bit, as you need money to continue, but it would never be the reason for …show more content…
This however, does not make him an explorer. Cartier, over his years, has done many things that an Explorer would not think of doing. He has kidnapped Iroquois, claimed and changed territories, and taken advantage of people to make a profit. The impact Cartier has had on Canada today is immeasurable, and I am not sure where I would be right now if it was not for that greed that drove Cartier to try and find Asia. I strongly believe that Jacques Cartier was an invader, but our country was built on invaders, which we need to realize if we want to continue to make positive impacts on the world around