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Jan 1, 1000
Refrences / Resources
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Jan 1, 1000
Map Routes
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Period: Jan 1, 1000 to
Early Explorers
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Jan 1, 1100
The Norse (Vikings)
At around 1100, Norse Sailors (“Vikings”) from Greenland settled in the Northern part of what is now an island in Newfoundland that is known as L'Anse aux Meadows. After settling down and living in peace with the Beothuk, the Norse ended up fighting them and was forced to leave. During the first peaceful contact, some children might have been born from Beothuk and Norse parents. This means that some Beothuk children could have been born with lighter skin. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot
John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) was an Italian navigator and explorer. He was trying to find a faster route to Asia with a crew of 18 men from Bristol, England. On May 2, 1497, they set sail to find land and arrived somewhere at the North-American coast on June 24, 1497. The English king had sent Cabot to explore the land on the other side of the Atlantic. He also claimed the land in the name of King Henry VII of England. -
Apr 1, 1534
Jacques Cartier
In April 1534, Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, set out on a journey to find a water route across North America to the Pacific Ocean so that trading ships can use a faster route to reach Asia. On his first voyage, Cartier explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During his two travels, he made contact with two First Nations groups, the Mi'kmaq and the Haudenosaunee. He traded their furs for European iron goods such as knives and more. -
Apr 1, 1534
Jacques Cartier (Continued)
Cartier realized the land was rich in natural resources so he put up a big cross to claim the land for France. The Haudenosaunee chief Donnacona realized what Cartier was doing and became angry, but Jacques convinced him the cross was just a marker to help him find his way. In 1535, Cartier sailed to Canada again, making his way up the St. Lawrence River to Stadacona (Québec City). Cartier also reached a larger village (Montréal). The next spring, Cartier forced Donnacona and 9 others to France. -
Samuel De Champlain
A French explorer, Samuel De Champlain, hoped to look for a passage way to Asia in 1603, he sailed up to North America and traveled up the St. Lawrence River but didn't find a route to Asia so he returned to France. Champlain returned the following year with 80 other French settlers. The settlers were not prepared for the harsh winter weather and the weather caused half of the people to die. -
Samuel De Champlain (Continued)
In 1605, Champlain helped to find Port Royal (Nova Scotia) which was the first French settlement in Canada. The French fishers and the settlers traded fish and European iron goods for beaver furs and pelts from the Mi'kmaq people to make beaver fur coats and hats to sell for high prices in Europe. In 1608, Champlain built a fort in what is now Québec City.This fort was planned to be the center of beaver fur trade in that area. -
Henry Hudson
An English navigator and explorer, Henry Hudson, went on 4 voyages. He planned to find the Northwest passage, but ended up finding the Hudson Bay and the Hudson River. His actions later led to the establishment of New Amsterdam (New York). During his last voyage, he failed trying to find the Northwest passage. He kept trying to find it but his crew members sent Hudson, his son John, and several crew mates that were already sick on a small boat and sent them adrift and weren't heard of again. -
James Cook
In July of 1776 Cook set sail on his third voyage to look for a possible sea route between Europe and Asia. In 1778 he became the first know European to reach the Hawaiian Islands. Later in 1778 Cook sailed up the northwest coast of North America, and was the first European to land on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. He continued up the coast through the Bering strait, and entered the Arctic Ocean. -
James Cook (Continued)
Great walls of ice blocked the expedition to the Arctic Ocean, so Cook headed back for the Hawaiian Islands. On February 14, 1779 Cook was stabbed to death by Hawaiian natives while investigating a theft of a boat by an islander. The expedition arrived back in England in October of 1780.
Captain Cook's voyages lead to the establishment of colonies throughout the Pacific by several European countries. He is considered one of the world's greatest explorers.
