Why did Jacques cartier come to America?

Jacques Cartier came to America in search of a Northwest Passage to Asia. In 1534, he set sail from France with two ships and 61 crew members. He eventually reached the St. Lawrence River and explored it for several weeks, but he did not find a passage to Asia. However, he did discover valuable resources such as furs, fish, and timber, which he reported back to France. His voyages helped to open up North America to European exploration and colonization.

Here are more specific details about Cartier's voyages to America:

* First voyage (1534-1535): Cartier sailed from France and reached the coast of Newfoundland. He explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence and claimed the land for France. He then returned to France.

* Second voyage (1535-1536): Cartier returned to America with three ships and 110 crew members. He sailed up the St. Lawrence River and reached the site of present-day Quebec City. He met with the Iroquois and Huron peoples and learned about their cultures and resources. However, he did not find a passage to Asia.

* Third voyage (1541-1542): Cartier returned to America with five ships and 200 crew members. He was searching for a "Kingdom of the Saguenay" that he had heard about from the Iroquois and Huron. He sailed up the St. Lawrence River and explored the Saguenay River, but he did not find the kingdom. He returned to France, and his efforts to establish a permanent French colony in America failed.

Cartier's voyages were significant because they helped to open up North America to European exploration and colonization. He was the first European to explore the St. Lawrence River and to meet the Iroquois and Huron peoples. His reports back to France encouraged further exploration and settlement in Canada.