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Sir Alexander Mackenzie was a Scot who grew to become a Canadian hero. A fur trader and explorer, Mackenzie became convinced that Cook's River, in present-day Alaska, could provide a water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Such a route - the mythical Northwest Passage - would provide a gateway to the vast trading markets of the Orient. In 1789, Mackenzie's crew - which included French-Canadian voyagers, his wife and several others - paddled off in a birchbark canoe from Fort Chipewyan in central Canada. Other canoes, navigated by Indian hunters and interpreters, followed behind. Over 100 days later, however, Mackenzie's entourage arrived back at the fort with details of another route to the Arctic Ocean, not the elusive Pacific. Though this first trip aided in mapping the northern regions of the continent, Mackenzie remained determined to find the "Western Sea." Therefore, on May 9, 1793, Mackenzie, with nine others, packed into a 25-foot canoe at Fort Fork along the Peace River for a second voyage. This time, he succeeded, and announced his arrival on a rock near Bella Coola near the Pacific by painting the following words with a vermillion and grease mixture: "Alexander Mackenzie, from Canada, by land, the twenty-second of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three." Mackenzie became the first European north of Mexico to reach the Pacific Ocean on an overland route, beating, as well, the American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who arrived at the coast in 1805. Without the guidance of Indians, Mackenzie would have been unlikely to reach the Western Sea. While crossing the Peace River watershed to the Fraser, they suggested to proceed overland, instead of continuing on the hazardous Fraser River. Mackenzie returned with the westward route mapped 117 days later. In 1802, Mackenzie was knighted by King George III, and recognized as leader of the first expedition to cross the North American continent from the Atlantic to Pacific north of Mexico.

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15y ago
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13y ago

because he wanted to explore different parts of the world

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Q: Why did Sir Alexander Mackenzie become an explorer?
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Related questions

Who was Sir Alexander Mackenzie?

Alexander Mackenzie was an explorer who discovered a route to the Pacific.


How does sir Alexander Mackenzie get across the rivers?

how does sir Alexander Mackenzie get across the ocean or rivers


In 1789 Scottish explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie followed the river that was later named after him to what ocean?

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Why is sir Alexander Mackenzie famous?

he discovered the Mackenzie river in Canada.


How long did alexander Mackenzie live?

The Scottish explorer, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, lived to be 55 or 56 years old. He was born in 1764 on the Isle of Lewis, but his exact date of birth is not known.


What river is named after Sir Alexander Mackenzie?

because Alexander Mackenzie was an Important person


Who did Sir Alexander Mackenzie sail for?

Alexander Mackenzie explored for King George the third and was knighted my king george the third in 1802 now his name is known as Sir Alexander Mackenzie.


When was Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School created?

Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School was created on 1949-10-30.


What is Sir Alexander MacKenzie Elementary School's motto?

The motto of Sir Alexander MacKenzie Elementary School is 'Be safe little dragons'.


When was Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior Public School created?

Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior Public School was created in 1971.


How old was Sir Alexander MacKenzie when he climbed the rockies?

Sir Alexander MacKenzie was 29 years old when he climbed the Rockies in 1793.


What is sir Alexander mackenzies full name?

sir Alexander Mackenzie was his full name