Quebec Is Founded
The founding of Quebec marks a significant moment in Canadian history as it was the first permanent European settlement in the region, established by French explorer Samuel de Champlain on July 3, 1608. Champlain, recognized as the father of New France, initially explored North America after joining a trading expedition in 1603, which led him to the St. Lawrence River and Montreal Island. His earlier ventures included an unsuccessful settlement attempt at Charlesbourg-Royal in 1541, but it was his establishment of Quebec that set the foundation for future French colonization efforts.
Following the establishment of Quebec, Champlain formed alliances with local Indigenous tribes, which proved vital for trade and defense against rival groups, particularly the Iroquois. Despite struggles with severe winters and health issues like scurvy among settlers, which led to early challenges for the colony, Champlain worked diligently to gain royal support and maintain the settlement's viability. His leadership continued until his death in 1635, during which he navigated conflicts, alliances, and the complexities of colonial administration. The legacy of Quebec's founding is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of French colonialism in North America and its interactions with Indigenous peoples.
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Quebec Is Founded
Quebec Is Founded
Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec, the first permanent European settlement in Canada, on July 3, 1608. Champlain was a French explorer who is known as the father of New France, the French colonial empire in North America.
In 1497 the Italian navigator John Cabot, sailing for the English king, had discovered waters teeming with fish off the coasts of Labrador, Newfoundland, and perhaps Nova Scotia. Fishing crews from Portugal, Spain, England, and France soon traveled across the Atlantic to take advantage of the bounty. The Frenchman Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River and claimed its shores for France in 1534, and in 1541 he established the fortified settlement Charlesbourg-Royal just northwest of what was later Quebec. However, he soon became disappointed with the area and abandoned it after a severe winter. Several subsequent attempts to occupy and exploit the French claim also failed.
In 1603 Champlain joined a trading expedition and visited North America for the first time. While there he explored the region, traveling up the St. Lawrence River to Montreal Island. His report on the expedition was published in France, and in 1604 Champlain accompanied a group of settlers to a location on the north side of the Bay of Fundy. That winter 35 of the 79 men died of scurvy. The settlers then moved to the south side of the Bay of Fundy and named their encampment Port Royal in the spring of 1605. Champlain stayed with the settlement for three years and explored the region in the summers looking for choice areas for colonization.
In July 1608 Champlain led a group of 32 colonists to establish the trading post that would become Quebec along the St. Lawrence River. Scurvy again struck the settlers during the first winter, but more colonists followed. In 1609 Champlain joined certain local native tribes in defeating Iroquois marauders on what would later be named Lake Champlain. A similar victory the following year improved the French reputation with the allied tribes, and fur trade between the two grew. These events also marked the beginning of intermittent warfare, which would continue on and off for 90 years, between the French and the Iroquois.
Champlain returned to France in 1610 and married Hélène Boullé, thereafter spending most of the rest of his life shuttling between Quebec and France. The fur trade suffered financial losses in 1611, and those who had sponsored Quebec decided to abandon it. Champlain convinced King Louis XIII to step in, and the king appointed a viceroy for the colony. In turn, the viceroy made Champlain the commandant of New France in 1612. Champlain returned to Canada and explored the Ottawa River, a major waterway to the west, in 1613, and the territory between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario in 1615. He continued west that winter, exploring Huron country, familiarizing himself with the area and the natives. In 1620 the king of France reaffirmed Champlain's authority in Quebec but did not permit him to continue his personal explorations, wanting him to concentrate instead on administering the Quebec colony. Champlain worked to keep the colony afloat, but in 1629 English privateers sailed into Quebec and demanded its surrender. Outmanned and outgunned, Champlain had no choice but to comply. He was taken prisoner and brought to England, where he was held captive until 1632.
The following year, Champlain sailed to Quebec, which had been returned to France. He spent the last years of his life trying to repair the damage done by the privateers and reestablish old alliances. He died in Quebec of a stroke on December 25, 1635.