The document summarizes early French exploration and colonization in North America before 1750. It discusses early explorers like Giovanni Verrazzano and Jacques Cartier who explored the Atlantic coast and claimed land for France in the 1500s. The first permanent French colony of Quebec was established in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain on the St. Lawrence River. French fur traders then expanded exploration of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River regions in the 1600s-1700s, with missionaries like Marquette and Joliet exploring the Mississippi River in 1673. Robert de LaSalle further explored the lower Mississippi in 1682, claiming the entire river basin for France as Louisiana.

1. The French in America before 1750 Early Exploration - Northwest Passage Giovanni Verrazzano (1524) – explored the Atlantic coast of North America from Carolina to Canada and claimed it for the French Jacques Cartier (1534) – explored the St. Lawrence River and claimed Canada for the French - Religious wars between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots) delayed French colonization until the early 1600’s

2. French Colonization - Quebec - the first permanent French colony in North America - founded in 1608 on the St. Lawrence River - by Samuel de Champlain - the “Father of New France”. The French focused on fur trading instead of colonial settlements - allied with the Huron in Canada & learned their culture - made enemies of the Iroquois, who then cooperated w/the English

3. French Exploration & the Mississippi - French fur traders expanded into the Great Lakes - Catholic Jesuit missionaries tried to convert American Indians to Catholicism (Catholic Christianity) Marquette & Joliet - Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary and Louis Joliet, a fur trader explored the Great Lakes region together - in 1673 they were guided to the ‘Big River’ and explored the upper part of the Mississippi River, as far south as Arkansas

4. Robert de LaSalle - In 1682 he explored the lower Mississippi River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico - claimed the entire river basin for France, naming it ‘Louisiana’.