French Explorer: Samuel de Champlain Placard

 

 

In the early 1500s, France was trying to find a shorter route to the Indies by traveling north around America.  This route they were looking for was called the Northwest Passage.  In looking for this Northwest Passage, the French were able to lay claims to land in North America.

Earlier French explorers had traveled to North America and explored parts of Canada including the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, and Montreal.  While exploring this territory the French discovered a resource that they felt was very valuable, furs.  The French realized that the animals found in this region could be trapped and skinned; and when the fur was sold, it would bring a large profit. 

Our first explorer will travel with the fur-trading expeditions to lay French claims in North America.  This explorer is Samuel de Champlain.  Champlain traveled with the fur-traders along the St. Lawrence River and explored the Great Lakes region from New York down to Lake Champlain (which he named).  In addition to exploring this territory, he was able to establish the French city of Quebec.