Samuel De Champlain: The Father Of New France

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Samuel De Champlain, an early 17th century French explorer, has often been called “The Father of New France” by historians and scholars alike. However, many people also argue that Samuel De Champlain is, in fact, not worthy of this title. Through research and investigation, I have formed an opinion of my own on this topic. I believe that Samuel De Champlain is worthy of the title “Father of New France”. While conducting my analysis, I discovered multiple points of proof as to why Samuel De Champlain is worthy of this title. For example, Samuel De Champlain was the first European to explore Canada that truly formed strong relations with the First Nations peoples. He made alliances with the Wendat, Algonquin, Montagnais, and Etchemin First Nations, and began trade with them as well. The French settlers were looking to obtain animal furs in particular from the First Nations, and in exchange the First Nations peoples received knives, pots, nails and other items that they had little previous knowledge about. De Champlain also assisted the local First Nations with their battle against the Iroquois, another group of indigenous peoples living farther south. …show more content…

He arrived at Quebec on July 30th, 1608, on a ship along with his mapmaker, De Monts, and various craftsmen, such as carpenters, sawyers, locksmiths, gardeners, tailors, farmers, and woodcutters. They would all play a role in helping the colony thrive and become wealthy. Samuel De Champlain chose a site in the St. Lawrence valley to build his settlement, which he called “L’Habitation”. The site chosen was tactically advantageous, as it was surrounded by tall cliffs and water. De Champlain constructed a fortress composed of three two-story buildings, which acted as a sort of base for the

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