The Start of New France - Champlain Chooses Quebec - Canada A People's History

00:02:53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXtGs8YnTKE

Summary

TLDRThe video highlights the origins of commerce in Canada, particularly through the lucrative fur trade in Tadusack along the Saint Lawrence River. It traces back to French and Basque fishermen trading with the Montagnais Indians from Cartier's time and mentions the increasing profit from furs by the early 17th century. Central to the narrative is Samuel de Champlain, a significant figure in Canadian history, who in 1608 sought to establish a new trading post at Quebec due to its advantageous location and fertile soil. His expedition led to the construction of a settlement designed to facilitate fur trading with local indigenous groups.

Takeaways

  • 🏞️ Tadusack is vital for Canada's commerce.
  • 🐻 Fur trading started between French fishermen and Montagnais.
  • 🚀 The fur trade became highly profitable by the early 17th century.
  • 🧭 Samuel de Champlain aimed to find a new trading post location.
  • 🌳 Quebec was chosen for settlement due to its resources.
  • 🏰 Champlain's team built a storehouse and fortified buildings.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:02:53

    The video discusses the historical significance of Tadusack, located on the Saint Lawrence River, as a trading hub for fur commerce in Canada. Since the time of Cartier, French and Basque fishermen traded furs with the Montagne Indians, a sideline that grew into a lucrative endeavor by the early 17th century as Canadian furs gained high demand in Europe. One notable figure, Samuel de Champlain, an explorer and mapmaker, arrived in Tadusack in 1608 with a mission from his backers to establish a new trading post. He identified an ideal location beyond Tadusack that had rich soil and extensive woods, proposing to build a settlement there. In July, Champlain set off with his men, ultimately deciding on a site at Quebec, which he deemed perfect for their new settlement.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • Who is Samuel de Champlain?

    Samuel de Champlain was a former soldier, explorer, and mapmaker, known for founding Quebec and establishing trade relations in Canada.

  • What was the significance of Tadusack?

    Tadusack was a key trading location on the Saint Lawrence River where French and Basque fishermen traded furs with the local Montagnais Indians.

  • Why was fur trade important in Canada?

    Fur trade provided immense profits and played a critical role in shaping Canada's early commerce, especially due to high European demand for Canadian furs.

  • What kind of settlement did Champlain establish?

    Champlain established a fortified trading post in Quebec with storehouses for goods.

  • When did Champlain begin his exploration for a new trading post?

    Champlain began his exploration in July 1608.

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  • 00:00:08
    [Music]
  • 00:00:13
    if the commerce that shaped canada's
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    future began
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    anywhere it is here at tadusack
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    on the saint lawrence river
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    [Music]
  • 00:00:25
    ever since cartier's time french and
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    basque fishermen have been trading furs
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    with the montagne
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    indians at first
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    it is only a sideline
  • 00:00:40
    but by the early 17th century the
  • 00:00:43
    prophets are turning out to be
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    spectacular
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    [Music]
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    the canadian furs are thick and shiny
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    good enough to command the highest
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    prices in europe
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    one of the french adventurers at
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    tarousak in the summer of 1608
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    is a former soldier turned explorer and
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    map maker
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    his name is samuel de champlain
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    champlain's backers order him to find a
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    new location
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    away from the competition the country
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    is fine and level and the soil
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    better than in any place i had seen with
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    extensive woods
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    along the shores one would think the
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    trees
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    had been planted as ornaments
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    he comes up with a bold but simple plan
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    go beyond tadusak into the little-known
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    lands farther west
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    build a new trading post and spend the
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    winter there
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    when spring comes the indians of the
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    interior
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    will bring their first to champlain
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    first
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    in july he sets off along the river with
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    a hundred men
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    and stops at a place he has seen once
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    before
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    [Music]
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    i looked for a proper place for our
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    settlement
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    but i could find nothing more suitable
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    or better situated
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    than the point of quebec so called by
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    the natives
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    which was covered with nut trees i at
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    once
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    employ a part of our work man in cutting
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    them down
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    to make a site for our settlement
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    champlain's men quickly build a
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    storehouse and three fortified buildings
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    you
Tags
  • Canada
  • Fur Trade
  • Samuel de Champlain
  • Tadusack
  • Quebec
  • Montagnais Indians
  • 17th Century
  • Exploration
  • Commerce
  • History