Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
European Explorers
To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Samuel De Champlain
A first person account of the founding of Quebec City by Samuel de Champlain. Provides his own feelings about New France and what he plans to use New France for.
PBS
Empire of the Bay: Who Were the Pathfinders?
Who were the men key to the Hudson's Bay Company? Read through the biographies provided through Empire of the Bay to find out.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Exploring Borderlands: Samuel De Champlain
This passage highlights passionate French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in his conquest for new lands in present day Canada and his establishment of France's North American capital of Quebec. Click the "Samuel de Champlain Activities"...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Catholicity in Canada
This entry from the Catholic Encyclopedia traces the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada from New France to discussions of state-funded schooling. Please note that the Catholic Encyclopedia is a historic reference document...
Canadian Museum of History
Cmc: The First Battle Against the Iroquois
This fascinating and detailed site looks at the battle between Champlain and the Iroquois.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Explorers of Canada
This site from Enchanted Learning has a listing and information on the major explorers of Canada. Many of these men came to Canada from France over different times. Pictures are provided along with links to additional information.
Brown University
John Carter Brown Library: Champlain's America: New France and New England
An exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec by Samuel de Champlain. It discusses Champlain's determination and drive to explore North America, and to plant French roots in the Canadian landscape. Images of...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: All Star River Explorers
An interactive site to teach students how rivers are formed, how they change, and why they are important. Cross-curricular activities in language arts, math, science, social studies, and art, some of which include worksheets to download,...
Canadian Museum of History
Vmnf: Samuel De Champlain
Offers several links to websites that provide information on the different places that Champlain explored in Canada.
Library of Congress
Loc: Exploration and Knowledge: France in America
A bilingual article which discusses the French contribution to exploration in North America. Included are the reasons the French explored in the New World.
Cengage Learning
Literature of Discovery and Exploration
Teaching approach that examines the writings of European New World explorers from the late 1400s through the 1600s. Includes Christopher Columbus, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Rene Goulaine de Laudonniere, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Fray...
Curated OER
Cbc: Adventurers and Mystics: Europe and the New World
From the CBC television series about Canadian history comes this summary of the English and French search for a Northwest Passage. Find out how these explorations laid the basis for their claims in the New World.
PBS
Empire of the Bay: Samuel De Champlain
Follow Champlain's path as he explored Canada as your read through his biography provided by PBS.
PBS
Empire of the Bay: Champlain's Path to Quebec
Watch a movie clip of Champlain's path to Quebec as you learn about this important early explorer.
Other
America's Historic Lakes: Samuel De Champlain
This page includes an excerpt from the journal of Samuel de Champlain and his exploration of Lake Champlain in 1609.
Other
The St. Lawrence River
This site is a brief history of the St. Lawrence River and its historical and geographical importance.
Library of Congress
Loc: Samuel De Champlain's 1607 Map
This page provides the history and significance of Samuel de Champlain's map of New France and the St. Lawrence River in 1607.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New France
This site has a good description of the differences between the French settlements in New France and the British colonies in America. Read about the rights of the French colonists as opposed to those of the English colonists.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Exploration and Settlement Before 1675
A great map showing the explorations of Spanish, French, and English explorers in North America between 1530 and 1675. A detailed key identifies each explorer and route. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection
Canadian Museum of History
Cmc: The Birchbark Canoe (1603)
Champlain realized the importance of the birchbark canoe to his voyages on shallow waterways. This resource records this observation.
Canadian Museum of History
Cmc: The Privilege of the Sword
This site provides a fascinating look into the type of weapons used in the 1660s by Samuel de Champlain.
Other
Historica: Champlain in Acadia
Features Champlain's contributions to the Acadian Civilization. Identifies the mixing of the cultures of Native Americans and the French.
Other
American Journeys: Background on the Journey of Jean Nicolet, 1634
A summary of Jean Nicolet's expedition to the western Great Lakes. The information is from an account written by a Jesuit priest who was a friend of Nicolet. Read the primary source by clicking on "Read this Document."