Jacques Cartier and the Writings of New France

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key people, dates, and motivations behind the early French colonization and literature of New France.

Les écrits de la Nouvelle-France (1534-1760)

A period associated with the beginning of colonization and the first written records of the colony.

July 24, 1534

The date Jacques Cartier took possession of the territory of Nouvelle-France at Gaspé in the name of the King of France.

King Francis I (François 1er)

The monarch who commissioned Jacques Cartier to discover certain islands where gold and other rich things were said to be found.

Mission Objective (Jacques Cartier)

To discover certain islands where it is said there should be found "grant quantité d'or et autres riches choses."

Primary motivation of Europeans

Commerce or trade, including the fur trade ("la fourrure").

Les relations de Jacques Cartier

The first French written work of the Nouvelle-France colony, marking the beginning of Canadian literature.

Gaspé

The location where Jacques Cartier took possession of the territory on July 24, 1534.

Renaissance Context

The era characterized by Heliocentrism and the start of European expansion through explorers like Jacques Cartier.