Louisiana: The History of an American State Chapter 7 Louisiana’s Spanish Colonial Era: Stability and Success Study Presentation ©2005 Clairmont Press

Chapter 7: Louisiana’s Spanish Colonial Era: Stability and Success Section 1: Louisiana Becomes a Spanish Colony Section 2: Spanish Control Section 3: Louisiana in the American Revolution Section 4: Spanish Louisiana after the American Revolution

Section 1: Louisiana Becomes a Spanish Colony ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What events led to the transfer of Louisiana from France to Spain?

Section 1: Louisiana Becomes a Spanish Colony What word do I need to know? treason

Louisiana Becomes a Spanish Colony 1762: Louisiana transferred to Spain by France (during French & Indian War) Accomplished with secret Treaty of Fountainebleu Money and military aid needed from Spain New colony – expensive for Spain to operate Huge military expense New colony – a strategic location for Spain

The Acadians The Acadians – exiles from French Acadia Peasants coming from France to Canada (1632) Hard-working trappers & farmers Valued land, family, Catholic faith 1755: Acadians evicted from their land Accused by British officer of refusal to take oath of allegiance to Protestant British King Sent to British colonies on Atlantic Coast

The Acadians 1764: Arrival of first Acadian group in Louisiana Given supplies from government warehouses Sent to live in Attakapa region Raised livestock on prairies Increased in numbers in colony Present-day Louisiana – home to descendants of Acadians

The Secret Transfer Government official sent by French to transfer colony to Spain (1763) Transfer kept as secret from colonists French officials waiting for arrival of Spanish September 30, 1764: official announcement regarding transfer of colony from France to Spain Colonists bitter about betrayal of France Leader (Jean Milhet) selected to urge France to keep Louisiana

Arrival of the Spanish Governor Antonio de Ulloa – sent by Spain to Louisiana as 1st Spanish governor (1766) Little ability as forceful leader Rule as governor confusing to colonists Unpopular changes made by Ulloa Described as a reserved scientist, quiet, and noted scholar Tried to impose Spanish trade rules on colony

The Rebellion 1768: Rebellion of mob against Ulloa Appeal by the people to French King to return Louisiana to French family Pleas ignored by King Louis XV (no desire to offend ally, King Carlos III of Spain) Colony an expensive burden to maintain Help requested from British governor at Pensacola

Arrival of the Military Colonists’ actions considered by Spanish to be treason Alejandro (Alexander) O’Reilly selected to regain and control colony Power of Spain asserted by O’Reilly Required colonists to take oath of allegiance to Spain Leaders of rebellion sentenced to death or prison O’Reilly called “Bloody O’Reilly” by French Click here to return to Main Menu.

Section 2: Spanish Control ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What was the Spanish plan for the Louisiana colony?

Section 2: Spanish Control What words do I need to know? Cabildo surveyor

Order and Organization O’Reilly charged with removing French power and law from Spanish colony Used Spanish colonial law as model Replaced French Superior Council with Spanish Cabildo Abolished Indian slavery Population census commissioned by O’Reilly End of rebellion – colony under control

Louisiana Under Unzaga Luis de Unzaga y Amezaga sent with O’Reilly to become next governor Overlooked Spanish laws, allowed British merchants to set up shops in New Orleans Appointed many French to government positions Repaired & strengthened Louisiana forts More soldiers brought into colony Sell of firearms to Indian tribes (increased the loyalty of the Indians)

The Isleños Arrival of new colonists from Spanish Canary Islands (off NW coast of Africa) Called themselves Isleños (Spanish word for “islanders”) Faced disease, hurricanes, lost ships, delays Death of many (settlements of few in colony) Isleños brought to Louisiana for military purposes Directed to become farmers Given basics by Spanish government Click here to return to Main Menu.

Section 3: Louisiana in the American Revolution ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What was Spanish Louisiana’s role in the American Revolution?

Section 3: Louisiana in the American Revolution What words do I need to know? neutral militia siege

Louisiana in the American Revolution April, 1775 – beginning of American Revolution (“the shot heard round the world”) in Lexington, Massachusetts Resistance from colonists (British troops sent to seize their weapons) July 4, 1776 – Independence from King George III & Great Britain declared by American colonies

Spain Supports the American Revolution Spain glad to see Great Britain in trouble Americans secretly supported by Spanish with supplies from New Orleans 1777 – Bernardo de Gálvez (new governor) Secret Spanish assistance- would not agree to stay east of the Allegheny Mountains.

Spain Enters the War 1779: Spain entered war Allies with France against British Did not become ally of Americans January, 1780: tried to seize Mobile but was hindered by a hurricane Mobile and fort at Pensacola captured by Gálvez Gálvez honored with royal title Gálvez still honored today as Spanish hero

The War Ends 1783: war ends with Treaty of Paris Florida – a possession of Spain again Camino Real (“Road of the King”) improved to protect Spain’s possessions Route from Texas to Louisiana used by vaqueros (cowboys) Part of this old Spanish trail (present-day Highway 90 in Louisiana) Click here to return to Main Menu.

Section 4: Spanish Louisiana after the American Revolution ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What were the issues with American settlers and the results of Pinckney’s Treaty?

Section 4: Spanish Louisiana after the American Revolution What words do I need to know? French Revolution right of deposit

Spanish Louisiana after the American Revolution Gálvez promoted to another assignment in colonial Spain Esteban Rodriquez Miro sent to Louisiana as new governor (1785)

Challenges Major problems with Native Americans After war’s end – push of American settlers toward Spanish territory Desire of Spanish government for more loyal colonists in Spanish Louisiana 1788: Great New Orleans Fire (856 homes lost) 1794: Another devastating fire Improvement of life in colony Looser trade laws by Spain Increase in population 1790: Establishment of Fort Miro Origin of city of Monroe Name given to honor Governor Miro

Growth 1791: Francisco Luis Hector, Baron de Carondelet chosen as next Spanish governor Allowed free trade with United States Permitted foreign trade ships to enter port of New Orleans

The French Revolution Unrest in colony due to French Revolution Connection of French heritage of many colonists Carondelet sought support of the Native Am. to maintain control of the colony Situation in France more violent (beginning of “the Reign of Terror”) Loyal French in constant danger of being beheaded Escape of some of noble class to Louisiana

Boundary Disputes Push of western American farmers for more access to port of New Orleans 1795: Pinckney’s Treaty formulated to solve situation free navigation of Mississippi to Americans agreement of right of deposit boundary set between United States and the Spanish territory

The Final Spanish Years 1794: Beginning of 1st newspaper in the colony (Le Moniteur de la Louisiane) New Orleans lifestyle offensive to Spanish priests Jesuits credited with bringing sugar cane to Louisiana Importation of slaves – temporarily stopped by Carondelet Colony still unable to support itself (too expensive for Spain to keep) Click here to return to Main Menu.

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