CONTACT

THE CARTIER ERA

FIRST CONTACT

• 1534- Jacques Cartier sent by France to find new lands where gold could be found– Explored the Bay of Chaleur and the Gaspe Bay

and erected a large cross claiming the land for New France

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS

• 1534- Cartier’s cross upset the Natives living at Stadacona (now Quebec City)– Cartier told the Native people that the cross only

served as a navigational guide– Cartier took two of the Native chiefs sons back to

France– He returned two years later after the sons told

stories of great riches in Stadacona

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS

• 1570s- Martin Frobisher looked for Northwest passage to China and brought back huge amounts of gold (proved to be false)

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS

• Clash Of Cultures– Europeans viewed Aboriginals as savages and

uncivilized– Aboriginals saw Europeans as helpless novices, ill

equipped to survive in North America– Each group believed they were superior to the

other

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS

• Trade and Cultural Change– Europeans believed they had a trade advantage

trading cheap goods (alcohol) for valuable furs.– Aboriginals were more than happy to trade furs

for technologically advanced products like axes and knives.

– Trade changed Aboriginal culture dramatically

FIRST CONTACT-IMPACTS

• Conflict Over Spirituality– Native people embraced spirituality and a wide

range of beliefs based on maintaining harmony between spiritual and material world

– Imposition of Christianity by Europeans was met with skepticism, especially as those who preached brought disease

– Europeans saw Native religion as barbaric