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, DeSoto’s men buried his body in a hollow log and sank him in the river. 1543 DeSoto’s 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 “Louis’s 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 France’s 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. Iberville’s 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 Pontchartrain’s 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 ship’s 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 XIV’s 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 Crozat’s 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 colony’s leading officials, to improve the colony and its leadership.

St. Denis and Natchitoches Another of Cadillac’s 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 Crozat’s 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.