Samuel De Champlain - Port Royal

Samuel De Champlain at Port Royal in Nova Scotia

As you now know, Samuel de Champlain was a soldier and a navigator. He was very interested in the Americas and believed Canada could be profitable for the French. With the support of the King of France and the help of Sieur de Monts, he tried to set up French colonies. If he could this, he was allowed to have a monopoly on the fur trade.

1. Why would Samuel de Champlain want to have a monopoly on the fur trade? Explain in 3-5 sentences. What does monopoly mean?


2. Why would the King want to set up French colonies in Canada? Explain in 3-5 sentences.

Champlain first attempted to create a small trading post called "Port Royal" in what is now Nova Scotia. It was not a great success because there was no business and the settlement was abandoned by 1607.

3. Can you find two pictures of Port Royal, Nova Scotia today on the Internet? What does it look like? Explain each picture in 5-8 sentences what you see.

When the settlement was abandoned in 1607, some settlers were permitted to stay if they agreed not to work on the fur trade. They became highly skilled farmers and would form the colony of Acadia (as we have learned before).

Bonus

1. Find 2 pictures of Nova Scotia you like. Explain why you like each of these pictures in 3-5 sentences.