The French In Illinois

Who were the first Europeans to explore the area known as the "Illinois Country"?

• Christopher Columbus and Hernán Cortés

• Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet

• Samuel de Champlain and René-Robert Cavelier

• John Smith and William Bradford

What was Jacques Marquette’s main mission when he was assigned to the Americas?

• To become a fur trader

• To bring Christianity to the people of the Americas

• To establish a new French colony

• To map the Mississippi River

Which river did Native Americans refer to as "The Great Water"?

• Missouri River

• Ohio River

• Mississippi River

• Illinois River

What skill was Jacques Marquette especially known for?

• Building canoes

• Learning Native American languages

• Trading furs

• Drawing maps

Why did most Europeans look at the American continents as obstacles?

• They wanted to avoid contact with Native Americans

• They were searching for a quick and safe route to the East Indies

• They believed the land was too cold to settle

• They thought the land was already fully explored

What was the significance of the Grand Village of the Illinois?

• It was the first French settlement in Canada

• It was the site of the first recorded encounter between Europeans and Native Americans in Illinois

• It was the capital of New France

• It was the largest city in the Great Lakes region

What was the significance of the Chicago Portage as recognized by Marquette and Joliet during their expedition?

• It was a site for building a new fort

• It provided an uninterrupted water route from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico

• It was a rich area for fur trading

• It was the location of the St. Francis Xavier Mission

Why did Marquette and Joliet have to portage their canoes and supplies near present-day Summit, IL?

• The river was too shallow for travel

• There was a 7.5 mile long marshy area connecting two rivers

• They encountered hostile Native Americans

• Their canoes were damaged

What happened to Marquette after his Mississippi expedition?

• He became a governor

• He died from dysentery

• He returned to France

• He started a trading company

What was the main reason La Salle wanted to explore further west into Canada?

• To find gold

• To claim land for Spain

• To expand fur trading opportunities

• To escape from France