Legacy Jacques Cartier

the fleet of cartier commemorated on 1908 canadian postage stamp.

having located entrance st. lawrence on first voyage, opened greatest waterway european penetration of north america. produced intelligent estimate of resources of canada, both natural , human, albeit considerable exaggeration of mineral wealth. while of actions toward st. lawrence iroquoians dishonourable, did try @ times establish friendship them , other native peoples living along st. lawrence river—an indispensable preliminary french settlement in lands.

cartier first document name canada designate territory on shores of st-lawrence river. name derived huron-iroquois word kanata , or village, incorrectly interpreted native term newly discovered land. cartier used name describe stadacona, surrounding land , river itself. , cartier named canadiens inhabitants (iroquoians) had seen there. thereafter name canada used designate small french colony on these shores, , french colonists called canadiens, until mid-nineteenth century, when name started applied loyalist colonies on great lakes , later of british north america. in way cartier not strictly european discoverer of canada country understood today, vast federation stretching mari usque ad mare (from sea sea). eastern parts had been visited norse, basque, galician , breton fishermen, , perhaps corte-real brothers , john cabot (in addition of course natives first inhabited territory). cartier s particular contribution discovery of canada first european penetrate continent, , more precisely interior eastern region along st. lawrence river. explorations consolidated france s claim of territory later colonized new france, , third voyage produced first documented european attempt @ settling north america since of lucas vázquez de ayllón in 1526–27.

cartier s professional abilities can ascertained. considering cartier made 3 voyages of exploration in dangerous , hitherto unknown waters without losing ship, , entered , departed 50 undiscovered harbors without serious mishap, may considered 1 of conscientious explorers of period.

cartier 1 of first formally acknowledge new world separate land mass europe/asia.