Les Voyageurs du Quebec.
"The History of Early
Quebec, Canada, and its
Explorers."
Introduction
The Voyageurs of Quebec were the first of many
immigrants to Canada. These hardy pioneers came from France to live,
hunt, and tame the forests and streams of a new world. To these
French speaking immigrants, they were seeking to create a "New
France", just like English colonists were seeking to create a "New
England."
These pioneers met many hardships such as
hostile Indians, famine, and every conceivable danger that nature
could throw at them. The Saint Lawrence River (St. Laurent in French)
was the key to settling this new region of North America. "Quebecois"
(French speaking pioneers and trappers) relied on the St. Lawrence
and its tributaries to provide access to the rich interior of Quebec.
Hunting beaver, fox, and other animals for their furs, these
voyageurs traveled deeper into the region. In the process, the
voyageurs helped develop a unique and different culture than the rest
of North America. This culture was predominantly a French speaking,
Catholic, and rural population that eventually was forced to survive
in an increasing sea of Anglophones (English
speakers).
Understanding the history of these early
voyageurs is essential to understanding the current realities Quebec
faces today. You will be given a series of guiding questions and maps
to focus your exploration of selected web sites. Sit back and explore
the world of
"Les Voyageurs."
Process
Read each question carefully. Below each
question you will find links to web pages containing information
about each question. You may want to take notes, so keep paper and
pencil handy. At the end of this WebQuest, you will be asked to
present evidence that you have understood how the voyageurs were a
significant part of the pioneer experience and how they were
different from many of the English settlers of other parts of
America.
Learning
Advice
- Find a friend who knows how to use and
navigate the internet.
- If you wish, you may take notes with a
partner.
- Cut and paste judiciously. Don't take
notes on every single piece of information.
- DO NOT
leave selected web sites. All the information you need is on the
selected sites.
- Be ready to discuss what you have
learned in class.
-
(Return to top of page.)
Quests
Who were the "voyageurs" and
how was Quebec
settled?
Introduction
to 'Les Voyageurs"
A
"voyageur" Family
Songs
of the Voyageurs
Hudson
Bay Trading Company Connection
Early
History of Quebec
Why
settle in Montreal?
What
does it mean to be from Quebec or Canada?
What type of animals did
they trap?
History
of trapping and "Les Coureurs des Bois"
Who was Jacques
Cartier?
History
What
was named by him?
Why is Quebec
different?
History
of Quebec
Defense
of Quebec
Issues
Facing Quebec
Who was Samuel
Champlain?
History
Where
did he go?
1607
Exporation
What was the role of the
Church in early Quebec?
How
does the Church affect Quebecois art?
Notre
Dame
And
let's not forget the Irish!
What Indians live in
Quebec?
The
Indians
(see modules 1 and
2)
Cree
(return
to top of
page)
Canada
Today
Canada
Information at a Glance
Quebec
Information at a Glance
History
of Quebec and Canada
Flags of Canada and
Quebec
Symbols
of Quebec and Canada
Flags
of Canada
More
about Canada's symbols
(Return
to top of page.)
Maps
Early
explorers.
Canadian
Confederation.
(Return to top of
page.)
Conclusion
The frontier experience for
"les voyageurs" was different in many ways from the "Anglo" frontier
experience. More often than not, French and Quebecois explorers
developed friendly relationships with Indians, maintained a strong
connection to their French language and culture, and they were almost
exclusively in the fur trade and farming until very late in the
eighteenth century.
The contributions of the
early French explores coupled with their unique frontier experience
are what makes the idea of a "Canada" so unique. Different Indian,
French, and Anglo cultures merged to form a confederacy of people
that is still challenged by their dissimilar cultures.
The study of Canada, Quebce, and "les
voyageurs" is a study of man's ability to live together in harmony, despite
great differences. Withing Canada, Quebec symbolizes the struggle for the
new idea of what it means to be "Canadian."
