Your next great Lessn starts here.

Age of Exploration: French & English Expeditions Part II – Recap previous exploration lesson – Review key explorers and discoveries from Part I – Introduce French & English expeditions – Learn about key figures like Cartier and Drake – Outline today’s learning objectives – Understand the motivations behind these voyages – Engage with expedition stories | Begin with a brief review of the previous lesson to refresh students’ memories on the Age of Exploration. Introduce the French and English expeditions, highlighting the roles of Jacques Cartier and Sir Francis Drake. Discuss the reasons these countries embarked on such journeys, including the search for new trade routes and the desire for expansion. Today’s objectives are to identify the key explorers, understand their contributions, and explore the impact of their voyages. Engage students with intriguing stories of adventure and discovery to make the history come alive. Encourage them to think about the challenges and risks involved in these expeditions.

Objectives of French Expeditions – Goals of French explorers – To explore new lands, spread Christianity, and find trade routes. – Fur trade importance – Fur was a valuable commodity in Europe, driving exploration. – Quest for Northwest Passage – Explorers sought a direct route to Asia for trade advantages. – Founding of New France – New France was established as a French colony in North America. | This slide aims to provide an understanding of the French expeditions during the Age of Exploration. The French had multiple goals, including the expansion of their empire, the spread of Christianity, and the search for new trade routes, particularly a direct route to Asia known as the Northwest Passage. The fur trade was a significant factor in these expeditions, as furs, especially beaver pelts, were highly sought after in Europe for fashion and other uses. The establishment of New France, which included parts of present-day Canada and the United States, was a result of these expeditions and led to lasting cultural and political impacts. Encourage students to consider the motivations behind exploration and the consequences of these expeditions on indigenous populations and global trade.

Famous French Explorers: Pioneers of the New World – Samuel de Champlain: Quebec’s founder – Established Quebec City as a fur trade center in 1608. – Jacques Cartier’s impactful voyages – Explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence, claiming land for France. – La Salle’s Mississippi exploration – First European to navigate the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. – Interactions with indigenous peoples – Early contact shaped relations and trade with Native Americans. | This slide introduces students to key French explorers who played significant roles in the Age of Exploration, particularly in North America. Samuel de Champlain is known as ‘The Father of New France’ for founding Quebec and mapping the Atlantic coast. Jacques Cartier’s voyages led to the claim of what is now Canada for France and his interactions with indigenous peoples were some of the first between Europeans and North American natives. La Salle’s expedition helped France claim lands along the Mississippi River. Highlight the importance of these interactions with indigenous peoples, which were often complex and had long-lasting effects on trade, culture, and diplomacy. Encourage students to consider the perspectives of both the explorers and the indigenous peoples during these historic encounters.

Objectives of English Expeditions – Seeking new trade routes – England wanted to find their own paths to Asia for trade. – Competing with Spain and Portugal – To challenge the power of Spain and Portugal in global trade. – Founding the Thirteen Colonies – The English established colonies that later became the USA. | This slide aims to explain the motivations behind the English expeditions during the Age of Exploration. Primarily, England was driven by the desire to discover new trade routes to Asia, which would allow them to participate directly in the lucrative spice trade and other commerce. Additionally, they sought to compete with the Spanish and Portuguese, who at the time dominated exploration and colonization. This competition led to the establishment of the Thirteen Colonies in North America, which were part of England’s strategy to expand their influence and presence across the world. Students should understand the economic and political factors that spurred these expeditions and how they shaped the world.

Famous English Explorers – John Cabot’s northern Asia route – Sought a direct route to Asia, landed in Canada instead – Sir Francis Drake’s achievements – First Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, also known for privateering – Henry Hudson’s Northwest Passage – Explored northeastern North America, looking for a path to Asia – Impact of these expeditions | This slide highlights the contributions of key English explorers during the Age of Exploration. John Cabot, an Italian navigator who sailed under the English flag, sought a northern route to Asia but instead landed on the coast of what is now Canada, laying the groundwork for later British claims in North America. Sir Francis Drake, celebrated as the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, also engaged in privateering against Spanish ships and settlements. Henry Hudson, while searching for the elusive Northwest Passage, explored areas of present-day Canada and the northeastern U.S. These explorers’ quests for new routes and territories had significant impacts on the course of world history, shaping the geopolitical landscape and advancing European exploration and colonization. Encourage students to discuss the motivations behind these expeditions and their long-term effects on indigenous populations and international relations.

Comparing French & English Expeditions – Objectives & outcomes of expeditions – Both sought wealth & trade, but had different methods & results – Relations with indigenous peoples – Varied interactions: trade alliances vs. conflicts – Long-term impacts on North America – Influences on culture, language, and territorial claims – Comparing French & English approaches | This slide aims to compare the French and English expeditions during the Age of Exploration, focusing on their objectives, interactions with indigenous peoples, and their long-term impacts on North America. While both nations aimed to expand their wealth and trade opportunities, their approaches and the outcomes of their expeditions differed. The French often formed trade alliances and had relatively cooperative relations with indigenous peoples, while the English had a mix of cooperative and conflictual interactions. The long-term impacts include cultural and linguistic influences, as well as territorial claims that have shaped the history of North America. Encourage students to think critically about how these historical events have influenced contemporary society.

Expedition Role-Play: French vs. English Teams – Divide into French/English teams – Role-play your team’s expedition – Act out an exploration scenario – Make decisions, face challenges – Encounter historical obstacles – Present findings to the class | This class activity is designed to immerse students in the Age of Exploration by having them role-play as French or English explorers. Divide the class into two groups representing the French and English exploration teams. Each team will simulate an expedition, making strategic decisions as they face challenges that explorers encountered, such as navigating unknown territories, dealing with harsh weather, or interacting with indigenous peoples. After the role-play, teams will present their expedition’s route, discoveries, and experiences to the class. This activity encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. Possible variations include assigning specific historical figures to each team, using maps for navigation exercises, or creating ‘event cards’ that introduce unexpected challenges or opportunities.