French Exploration in the New World French Exploration began about forty years after Columbus sailed to the new world. They hoped to find a passageway that would get them to the east to trade, through America, Along with spreading Christianity with the natives and claiming land. The French found that Furs were a large thing on the trade market. So fur trading became a huge part in French History in America. Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who was sent to the new world in search of a passageway to the East. Between 1535 and 1541 he explored the St. Lawrence River. Thinking he found the way to east, he went on three voyages through the St. Lawrence before deciding that it was not the way to the East. His first voyage was forced to close when a storm hit. His crew became sick with scurvy on the second, and they had to stay with a friendly Indian tribe while over half his crew suffered and died. Cartier never found the passageway to the East, but that did not stop Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, from searching the Mississippi in hopes that this was the long sought waterway leading to the East. They never found the way to the East, and were forced to go back due to cat …show more content…
They stopped searching for a passageway to the East and sent many people out to hunt for furs. They traded not only with the Natives, but with other European countries as well. Many people came to the new world, and settled in areas rich with animals to hunt, Creating settlements such as, Quebec in Canada and the New Orleans. Bringing Christianity to the Natives was a harder than hunting for furs. Many tribes did not trust the white people, and would not allow them to come onto their land. When a tribe would allow them to share the gospel, they feared the apocalyptical future that the Book of Revelations stated. Although French exploration started slow, it has a great impact on America still