French Louisiane A Study of Chapter 5 Early Exploration Shortly
after Spanish explorers discovered Aztec gold in Mexico, other
European nations began sending explorers to the New World in hopes
of finding riches. Early Exploration Economic drive and religious
responsibilities motivated European rulers to control the New
World. The first colonies were established on the Atlantic coast.
Spanish established St. Augustine in 1565 English established
Jamestown in 1607 French established Quebec in 1608 Hernando DeSoto
1532 DeSoto embarked on a major expedition to conquer Florida for
the Spanish crown. He and about 600 men traveled over 4,000 miles
around the southeast in search of riches Along the way they
encountered, battled, and took captive many native people 1541
DeSoto and his men became the first Europeans to encounter and
cross the Mississippi River 1542 DeSoto contracted a fever and
died. Fearing retaliation and mutilation by the natives, DeSotos
men buried hisbody in a hollow log and sank him in the river. 1543
DeSotos successor, Luis de Moscoso, and the rest of his men
travelled by raft down the Mississippi River and reached Mexico
Hernando DeSoto Hernando DeSoto LaSalle Claims Louisiane
By the late 1600s, England, Spain, and France all had established
colonies in North America. Spain Texas Mexico England Atlantic
Seaboard *France Canada (New France) Expanding New France Canadian
traders wanted to expand their trading area by finding water
passage that would take them to China or the Indies. In 1673,
French fur trader Louis Joliet and Jesuit priest Father Marquette
set out with others to explore the great river described by the
Iroquois. They traveled down the Mississippi River to the mouth of
the Arkansas River where they turned back, unwilling to risk
confrontation with armed natives or Spanish soliders. Expanding New
France Marquette and Joliet Route Explored Rene Robert Cavelier,
Suier de LaSalle
Came to Canada from France and established a fur trading post near
Montreal. Spent much of his life interested in finding a route to
China. Trading post was even named LaChine. The Iroquois told him
of the Ohio River which flowed into the Mississippi River. He
Believed the Mississippi River flowed into the Gulf of California.
From here, he could find a route to China. LaSalle Claims
Louisiane
LaSalle and his men (including Henri de Tonti) entered the upper
Mississippi River in February 1682. They reached the mouth of the
river in April. He erected a large cross on the riverbank and
ceremoniously declared that France owned all of the land drained by
the Mississippi River. Named Louisiane or Louiss Land LaSalle
Claims Louisiane
LaSalle believed that France should establish a colony at the mouth
of the Mississippi No one could enter the river without Frances
permission Enemies could not travel upriver to Canada France could
control much of North America The Gulf Coast would be an ideal
naval base Riches to be had in the fur trade Fort Louis LaSalle
returned to France to collect settlers and supplies. The return
trip was a disaster. Missed the mouth of the river, landed in Texas
Last ship sank He and his people built Fort Louis. After 2 years,
only 50 people left due to starvation, disease, and Indian attacks
He tried to reach Canada on foot. Began walking back toward the
Mississippi Killed by his own men in East Texas Henri de Tonti
Italian born Served in both the French Army and Navy
Lost right hand when grenade exploded Known as Iron Hand because of
his hook Travelled to North America with LaSalle in 1678. Took
charge of several French forts Key part of the 1682 expedition down
the Mississippi River. Received a land grant near the mouth of the
Arkansas River Established a trading post 1st permanent European
settlement in the lower Mississippi River Valley. Died of yellow
fever at the age of 54 Iberville Comes to Louisiane
In order to stop England from establishing a colony at the mouth of
the Mississippi River, France had to act fast. French Minister of
Marine, Louis Pontchartrain, sent Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur de
Iberville to lead the expedition. Iberville left France with four
ships and 200 settlers. Ibervilles brother, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne,
Sieur de Bienville also accompanied him. Iberville Comes to
Louisiane
Timeline of Travel: Stop for supplies at the French colony of Saint
Domingue before proceeding into the Gulf of Mexico. Thwarted by
Spanish fort at Pensacola Bay:best harbor near the Mississippi
River. Came upon a number of small islands near the coast of
modern-day Mississippi.Named one Ship Island. Arrived at the mouth
of the Mississippi River on March 3- Mardi Gras Day!Confirmed
location through the speaking bark which was a letter de Tonti left
for LaSalle. Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur de Iberville
Third son of a wealthy Canadian land owner Served as a navy officer
Essential in driving the British from the Hudson Bay area
Established settlements at Fort Maurepas, Fort de la Boulaye, and
Fort Louis de la Mobile Returned to France where the country was
engulfed in war Made commander of a fleet and sent into battle Died
of illness in Cuba in 1706 Baton Rouge and Pontchartrain
The Istrouma Naming the Lakes While traveling with a friendly group
of natives, Iberville was shown a red pole, or Istrouma, which
served as a boundary dividing Houma and Bayougoula hunting grounds.
The red stick, or baton rouge later served as the name of a French
settlement On his return from exploring the Red River, Iberville
was told of a shortcut through Bayou Manchac to a river. The river
went through 3 lakes before coming out in the Gulf. The largest
Iberville named for Count Pontchartrain. A smaller lake was named
for Pontchartrains son, Count Maurepas. Lake Borgne, meaning
one-eyed lake, was named by Bienville because only one bayou
connected it to the Mississippi River. The Isle of Orleans
Surrounded by water:
Mississippi River to the west and south Gulf of Mexico to the east
Bayou Manchac, Amite River, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain to
the nnorth New Orleans was later built on this land. Fort Maurepas
Built on Biloxi Bay, Fort Maurepas was the first French settlement
in Louisiane. Because of flooding, poor soil and water, and
disease-carrying insects, the land was not ideal. English Turn
Bienville resorted to quick thinking to prevent the English from
trying to establish a colony. While exploring the river, Bienville
spotted a large English ship. He convinced the ships captain that
he had a firmly established colony and French soldiers at his back.
The English captain turned around and left the area. Other Early
French Settlements
Iberville spent time in and out of the area. Traveling back and
forth from France Leaving Bienville in charge A new fort was needed
to protect French interests. Bienville established Fort de la
Boulaye 50 miles upstream from the mouth of the river. Few settlers
Bienville soon returned to Maurepas On his next return, Iberville
established Fort Louis de la Mobile on Mobile Bay. Became the
capitol of the colony Most settlers moved here Another post at
Dauphin Island included plantations and farms. The Early Colonists
Although about 200 settlers accompanied Iberville from France, a
later census tallied the number at 82. Soldiers, sailors,
explorers, voyageurs, and 13 Caribbean pirates. Voyageurs (rowdy
and colorful characters) made their living paddling small boats for
explorers and traders. Mostly Canadian Very strong (known to cart
up to 400 pounds around river obstructions. Said to be able to
paddle a stroke per second for up to 18 hours. A New Governor When
Iberville left the colony for the third time to obtain much needed
supplies (sadly, never to return), Bienville became governor. The
poor state of the colony caused many to turn on him. Bienville set
to trying to solve the problems he could in the area. Jean Baptiste
Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville
8th son and younger brother of Iberville Joined the French navy at
the age of 12 At 18, he and his brother explored and established a
colony in Louisiane. Became governor of the colony at the age of 22
Over his tenure, he was repeatedly investigated for corrupt and
immoral practices. Served four terms (30 years) as governor.
Coureurs de Bois and the Pelican Girls
runners of the wood Pelican Girls Hunters and traders Depended on
Indians to keep them alive Took on native culture instead of
converting Indians Often intermarried with native women Bienville
saw this as a BIG problem 23 young women were sent from Paris by
the bishop of Quebec for the purpose of marrying the Coureurs de
Bois They were misinformed about the condition of the colony and
the men they were to marry. Nearly all of the girls found husbands
Population quickly increased to 195. Economics in Louisiane
The European economy was based on mercantilism, or the belief that
each empire should have access to and control of all raw materials
of a colony. The mother country would send finished goods back to
the colony. This was a closed system, meaning countries did not
trade with one another, and colonies could only trade with the
mother country. Economics in Louisiane
The Fur Trade Main economic activity in the colony Coureurs de Bois
traded beads, iron, hatchets, pots, guns, and cloth with Indians
for fur Most commonly collected furs were deerskins Louisiane
proved lacking in the trade because hides were thinner and often
rotten in transport Economics in Louisiane
Farming Lack of knowledge, poor soil, and flooding ensured
colonists did not have enough food. Known as the Starvation Period
Colonial leaders often sent men to live in Indian villages because
they could not afford to feed them. Indians taught settlers how to
grow corn, squash, and beans and how to hunt and fish. French
Government in the Colony
Colonial Government Bienville Establishes a Pattern The governor
was the top official in the colony. Responsible for everything that
happened in the colony. In an effort to make the colony run more
efficiently, the position of commissary was created. Took control
of warehouses, trade, and supplies Actually caused the two
officials to fight for power Bienville was the first Louisiana
governor convicted of corruption. Practiced nepotism Used colony
funds as his own Flaunted power and money Because his replacement
never made it to the colony, Bienville used his influence to be
reappointed as governor. A Proprietor King Louis XIVs Dilemma
The king was unwilling to invest (sink) any more money into the
colony. Abandoning the colony ensured England would take control of
the river and threaten Canada. He set out to find a proprietor to
take economic responsibility of the colony while keeping it under
French control. A Proprietor Crozats Charter Promised to the
Crown
Received a 15 year monopoly on the colony with the option of
renewing at the end of the term Controlled all untitled land Keep
all profits Appoint officials Remain exempt from tarriffs Promised
to the Crown Provide the king with the royal fifth (1/5 of all gold
found in the colony) Promised to send a few settlers to Louisiane
each year Purchase all goods from France Govern by French law
Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac
Appointed governor before Crozat received his charter, but did not
take his position until much later. He was unpopular:haughty,
pompous, and corrupt. Overly concerned with appearances, even in
the wilderness. Despite unpopularity, he improved Louisiane.
Created the Superior Council, which included the colonys leading
officials, to improve the colony and its leadership. St. Denis and
Natchitoches
Another of Cadillacs ideas to help the colony prosper was to build
an outpost in the western part of the colony. Settlement would
protect against the Spanish in Texas and Mexico Though illegal, the
outpost would assist in the easier and more cost efficient practice
of trading with the Spanish. Louis Juchereau de St. Denis was
chosen to run the operation. St. Denis was familiar with the area
and was already an ally of the local tribes In 1714, St. Denis
established a trading post on the Red River at the old Natchitoches
Indian village. Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in
the entire Louisiana Purchase territory. Fort St. Jean Baptiste was
built here. Louis Juchereau de St. Denis
Canadian-born and Paris-educated military officer Early explorer of
the Red River area Known for diplomacy and frontiersman skills
Allied with the Caddo, and learned much of their language and
culture Native honored him by tattooing his impressively large legs
Developed trade relations with Spanish colonists Fell in love with
and married the granddaughter of the Spanish commandant The First
Natchez War The First Natchez was was begun when the Natchez
murdered four French traders. Cadillac sent Bienville and a group
of soldiers to seek justice. Forced the tribe to execute the
warriors guilty of the crime. Fort Rosalie was built near the
Natchez village to protect the Mississippi River and keep an eye on
the Natchez. The construction of the fort added to the building
hatred of the French by the Natchez. Bienville forced them to cut
the 2,500 logs to build the fort. Other Threats Potential Spanish
Invasion Crozats Failure
Because the boundary between French Louisiane and Spanish Texas was
not clearly defined, there was a near-constant threat of Spanish
attack. Los Adaes, a Spanish fort located 15 miles away from Fort
St. Jean Baptiste, was well stocked with soldiers and ammunition.
The death of King Louis XIV caused the end of government support in
the colony. French colonists had no interest in agriculture and
trade was a constant challenge. Crozat neither invested money into
improvements in the colony nor upheld obligations to provide
settlers or supplies. Crozat surrendered the charter in 1717.
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