Final answer:
The Jesuits, also known as the Society of Jesus, were founded in the 1540s by Ignatius of Loyola. They focused on education, converting non-Christians, and served as advisers to Catholic rulers. While their missionary efforts met with mixed success, they left valuable historical records such as the Jesuit Relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Jesuits were an influential religious order within the Catholic Church called the Society of Jesus. Founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 1540s, they focused on the education of young Catholic men, the conversion of non-Christians, and service as advisers to Catholic rulers. The Jesuits played an important role in the Catholic Reformation and were distinguished missionaries in various parts of the world, including New France, where they tried to convert the indigenous population, and China, where they made efforts to respect and learn about local culture.
In New France, the Jesuits wrote detailed annual reports known as the Jesuit Relations, documenting their missionary activities among native peoples like the Algonquin and the Iroquois. Despite their rigorous efforts, they were largely unsuccessful in converting local Indians in some areas. However, their accounts provide a rich source of information about the interactions between Europeans and Native Americans.