Jacques Cartier's Three Voyages: Mapping the Gateway to New France (1534–1542)

French explorer Jacques Cartier (1491–1557) made three voyages that established France's claim to Canada and mapped the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the great river highway into the continent.

First Voyage (1534): Reconnaissance & Claim

• Departed Saint-Malo April 20, 1534 (two ships, 61 men).
• Explored **Newfoundland** (Strait of Belle Isle), **Gulf of St. Lawrence**, **Magdalen Islands**, **Prince Edward Island**.
• Landed at **Gaspé Peninsula** (Baie de Gaspé), erected a 10m cross bearing "Vive le Roy de France," claiming the land for Francis I.
• Encountered Mi'kmaq and St. Lawrence Iroquoians (Donnacona's people at Stadacona). Kidnapped two sons (Domagaya, Taignoagny) as interpreters/guides.

Second Voyage (1535–1536): The Great River

• Three ships, 110 men. Returned the two Iroquoians.
• Sailed up the **St. Lawrence River** to **Stadacona (Québec)** and **Hochelaga (Montréal)** — the first European to do so.
• Blocked by **Lachine Rapids** at Hochelaga.
• Wintered at Stadacona (1535–36): 25 men died of scurvy; saved by Iroquoian remedy (annedda/white cedar tea).
• Explored **Ottawa River** mouth. Kidnapped Donnacona & others, took them to France (most died).

Third Voyage (1541–1542): Failed Colonization

• Five ships, part of Jean-François de La Roque de Roberval's colonization attempt.
• Built **Charlesbourg-Royal** fort near Stadacona (Cap-Rouge).
• Wintered 1541–42: hostile relations with Iroquoians, scurvy, harsh winter.
• Cartier abandoned the mission June 1542, encountered Roberval in Newfoundland, refused to return, sailed to France.
• Roberval's colony also failed (1543). France ignored Canada for 60 years.

Legacy

Cartier named **Canada** (from Iroquoian *kanata* "village"), mapped the St. Lawrence to Montréal, and initiated the French claim that became New France. His relations with St. Lawrence Iroquoians set a tragic pattern of kidnapping and disease.