Champlain's Earliest Travels

Champlain's first travels were with his uncle, they sailed to Spain and The West Indies. During the years 1601 to 1603 Champlain was a geographer for King Henry IV, later in 1603 he joined François Gravé Du Pont's expedition to the Newfoundland (Canada). There they ventured up the St.Lawrence and Saguenay rivers as well as Gaspé Peninsula, finally arriving in Montreal. Sadly on this expedition Champlain had no official role but, Champlain proved his part by making strange predictions on the number of lakes and other geographic features.

Another Expedition

Fortunately because Champlain was helpful on Pont's expedition, the next year Champlain was once again chosen to be a geographer on another expedition to Acadia led by Lieutenant General Pierre Du Gua de Monts. In May they landed on the Southeast Coast of what is now Nova Scotia. There Champlain was asked to choose a location for a temporary settlement he explored the Bay of Fundy St. John River area before selecting a small island in the St. Croix River. The group build a fort there to spend the winter in. In the summer of 1605, the group sailed down the coast of New England as far as the Cape Cod. Even though a couple of British explorers had been to this area before Champlain. he was the first to give a detailed accounting of what the region looked like. That region soon became Plymouth Rock.

Lieutenant to de monts

In 1608 Champlain was given the name Lieutenant to de Monts, they set off another expedition up the St. Lawrence. When they arrived in June 1608, they constructed a fort which would one day become Quebec city. Quebec would soon become the hub for French fur trading. The next summer Champlain fought a Native American tribe the Iroquois, that created a hostile relationship between the two that would last for more than a century.

Marring Hélène Boullé

Going back to France Champlain had got married to 12 year old Hélène Boullé. The age difference between Champlain and Hélène Boullé was 31 years meaning he married her at age 43. They got married on December 30, 1610 in Paris, France.

The Hurons

In 1615 Champlain ventured deep into Canada with another Native American tribe the Hurons Champlain and the French aided the Hurons in an attack on the Iroquois. Sadly, they lost the battle and Champlain was shot in the knee with an arrow, he was unable to walk so decided to stay with the Hurons that winter. During his stay he wrote one of the most earliest and detailed accounts of Native American life.

Last years and death

When Champlain Returned to France, he was found caught in many lawsuits and was not allowed to return back to Quebec. He spent his time by writing stories about his voyages, with maps and illustrations. When he was Lieutenant again he returned to Canada with his wife. In 1627 Louis XIII's chief minister placed Champlain in charge of a company. Charles I of England commissioned an expedition to displace the French. They attacked and seized supply ships. Champlain surrendered on July 19, 1629 and returned to France. Champlain wrote more about his travels. In 1632 the British and the French signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, giving Quebec back to the French. Champlain returned to be its governor. Sadly, his health was getting worse and he was forced to retire in 1633. He died two years later in Quebec on Christmas day.

Letter back to France explaining what was found

Dear France, This is Samuel de Champlain I have reached quebec safely. Quebec is wonderful there is plentiful amount of trees, land, and water. It really is a great place to live, anyways the fur trade is going well. Not much precious or rare items found except for a large amount of nature. But, Quebec is a beautiful area that I think will grow more popular. From, Samuel de Champlain.

Character traits

Samuel de Champlain had many traits describing him one is being cautious I think this because of his one quote "The advice I give to all adventurers is to seek a place where they may sleep in safety." proving he is cautious. Although, he is cautious he is also curious, because of his curiosity he traveled to North America. In some ways he is adventurous as well as risk taking, I thought of these traits when Champlain fought the Iroquois the first and second time. Champlain has many different traits as well as these.

A take on Champlain from the Natives

A Take on Champlain from the Iroquoians perspective

Samuel de Champlain was someone who chose to battle us with his army, so naturally we started to dislike him. We fought and defended ourselves with items we made from nature but, Champlain started using firearms against us and nature! Luckily we had a plentiful amount of hunters so they helped us with this victory. Even though we won our battle many people died protecting our villages, although they will be honored they will be mainly missed by family and friends. After the battle much sadness was running through the air, as well as rumors on what happened. It took one year for the village to go back to normal. But of course Champlain had to come back and battle us again we thought it would just be him and the French but mistaken we were. They arrived with dozens of other Natives all hiding in the woods surrounding our village, it was a tough battle but still we won. To make the day even better Champlain had gotten shot in the knee. We will always remember it was he who shot the first shot.

A take on Champlain from the Hurons' perspective

Samuel de Champlain was someone who aided us on an attack on the Iroquois he was very friendly by offering us food and weapons. He was also very caring of our villagers, by the end of 1615 he was basically a Huron. Sadly during the battle he was trying to keep us safe and got shot in the knee. We were all devastated especially when we lost our battle. Champlain stayed with us for the Winter. All thorough Winter he was writing something. Before he left he showed us he was writing all about Native American life. We were all so honored, it was a pain to say goodbye to him. He will forever hold a place in our heart.

Timeline on Samuel de Champlain

• Born on August 13, 1574 in Brouage, Province of Saintonge, France
• First traveled with his uncle in the year 1598
• In the years 1601 to 1603 Champlain was a geographer for King Henry IV
• In the same year 1603 Champlain joined François Gravé Du Pont's expedition to the Newfoundland (Canada). They ventured up the St. Lawrence and Sanguenay rivers.
• The next year 1604 Champlain was once again chosen to be a geographeron a expedition to Acadia led by Lieutenant General Pierre Du Gua de Monts.
• In 1608 Champlain was named Lieutenant to de Monts
• In 1609 Champlain fought in a battle against the Native American tribe the Iroquois. Starting a bad relationship that would last for more than a century.
• The following year, 1610 Champlain returned to France and married 12 year old Hélène Boullé. The marriage took place on December 30, 1610 in Paris, France. Between the two there was a 31 year age difference.
• In 1615 Champlain voyaged deep into the inner regions of Canada. There he met up with the Hurons. A Native American tribe, Champlain aided the Hurons in a battle against the Iroquois. During the battle Champlain was struck in the knee with an arrow, he was not able to walk so he decided to spend the winter with them.
• When Champlain returned to France, He was caught in ,many lawsuits and was unable to return to Quebec.
• In 1627 Louis XIII's chief minister placed Champlain in charge of a company. Charles I of England planned an attack to displace the French.
• Champlain surrendered July 19, 1629.
• In 1632 the British and the French signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye returning Quebec back to he French. Champlain returned to becoming governor.
• In 1633 Champlain was forced to retire due to his health.
• Sadly on December 25, 1635 Samuel de Champlain died.

How has Samuel de Champlain affected the World

If we hadn't had Samuel de Champlain affect our history, many things in our history would be different. Because of Champlain we have Quebec as major province in Canada. Their was a treaty between the British and French that had been signed. As well as many of the detailed and precise maps wouldn't have been made. He had also made stories on his expedition with advice in the book to other explorers. He also made a book on the Hurons life. He made many people proud and also helped others without him our World would have been different.