USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -French mariner Jacques Cartier was the first European to navigate the St. Lawrence River, and his explorations of the river and the Atlantic coast of Canada, on three expeditions from 1534 to 1542, laid the basis for later French claims to North America. Cartier is also credited with naming Canada.

Detailed explanation-2: -For France, he claimed land in what is now Canada. Cartier was one of the first Europeans to trade for furs with Native Americans. Fur was in great demand in Europe.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cartier’s first encounter with Aboriginal people, most likely the Mi’kmaq, was brief, and some trading occurred. On his second encounter Cartier panicked as forty Mi’kmaq canoes surrounded one of his long boats.

Detailed explanation-4: -During that first expedition, he explored the western coast of Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence as far as today’s Anticosti Island, which Cartier called Assomption. He is also credited with the discovery of what is now known as Prince Edward Island.