French Louisiane Pages 96-123

III. Bienville Takes Charge 2nd Natchez War I. Early Exploration Hernando De Soto Sieur de La Salle II. Iberville Baton Rouge and Pontchartrain First Settlements Early Colonists V. The Code Noir III. Bienville Takes Charge 2nd Natchez War Coureurs de Bois Bienville Returns Louisiane Economics VI. End of French Louisiane French Government French & Indian Wars IV. Proprietor of Louisiane Treaties Crozat John Law

Early Exploration Soon after Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas Spanish conquistadors found gold in Mexico. Soon other European nations sent explorers to the “New World” in hopes of finding riches. Hernando De Soto and 600 men landed in Florida looking for gold in 1541. De Soto discovered the Mississippi River Treated natives brutally Died of fever and men made boats and floated to Mexico Less than half of the 600 survived.

Early Exploration By the late 1600s, Spain, England and France established colonies in North America. Sieur de La Salle (1682) believed the French should establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. This would help France control much of N. America and it would prevent enemies from traveling up river to Canada. He also believed Gulf Coast was perfect to set up the fur trade. With permission from King Louis La Salle left Canada and went down river. Reached the mouth and declared that the French owned all the land drained by the Mississippi River. Named it Louisiane which means “Louis’s Land”

Early Exploration La Salle went back to France to gather supplies, ships and people. His second expedition was a disaster. Sailed too far west and landed in Texas. Ship sank during a storm Set up Fort Louis (present day Texas ~ 1865) After two years he and his crew tried to walk along the coast to Canada. His men murdered him.

Location of Fort Saint Louis

La Salle

Iberville French Minister of Marine, Louis de Pontchartrain, sent Sieur de Iberville (1699) to set up a colony on the Mississippi River before the English. First anchored at Ship Island and met Biloxi Indians From there they set out with 49 men to find the M.R. With the help of natives they found the river and went up stream to the Red River. Found an area he called “Baton Rouge” (Red Stick) Named Lake Ponchartrain and Maurepas and the Isle of Orleans

Iberville Fort Maurepas was built on Biloxi Bay (Present day Ocean Springs, MS. ~ Capital of Louisiana - 1720) English Turn Bienville, younger brother was exploring mouth of M.R. and found British Lied and told them they already had established a fort. Fort de la Boulaye Fort Louis de la Mobile Dauphin Island.

Location of Fort Maurepas

Iberville 200 colonists accompanied Iberville to LA 82 were counted a year later Included soldiers, sailors, explorers, voyageurs and 13 Caribbean pirates. Iberville returns to France a third time, due to war he became captain of a fleet. This left Bienville,22, governor of the colony.

Bienville Takes Charge First problem Bienville faced was lack of European women at the colony. Coreurs de Bois “runners of the woods” Bienville worried: Thought they were losing their souls Worried about their loyalty Wanted them to settle down and become farmers Pelican Girls were sent by the Bishop of Quebec Population rose to 195

Bienville

Economics in Louisiane Mercantilism: economy base on raw materials Closed system All materials sent back to France then made into finished products and sold back to colonist Many found it more profitable to illegally trade with the Spanish. Louisiane depended on the fur trade Deerskins Wasn’t very profitable Lack of knowledge contributed to poor farming by the colonist. Colonies relied on the help from natives who taught settlers how to farm.

French Government Louisiane Colony had two officials: Governor: Leader of colony Commissary: in charge of warehouse, trade and supplies Bienville was convicted of corruption. He was ordered back to France, however the new governor died and Bienville was reappointed.

Proprietor of Louisiane King Louis XIV grew tired of sinking money into the colony. However, he did not want England to take control of the Mississippi River. (France and England were bitter enemies) He began looking for a proprietor. someone to take economic control of the colony

Antoine Crozat The first charter(contract) went to Antoine Crozat. 15 year monopoly on the colony Controlled all untitled land Crozat will keep all profits, appoint officials and remain exempt from tariffs. Give the king a fifth of all profits ( royal fifth ) Govern by French Law

Crozat Antoine Cadillac was appointed govenor. Corrupt and liked to wear formal clothing even in wilderness. Created Superior Council Hired St. Denis to start settlement at Natchitoches ~ 1714 (oldest permanent settlement in La) First Natchez War Natchez murdered four French traders Fort Rosalie

John Law Wealthy Scottish who lost all his money gambling. After killing a man in a duel, fled to France. Had powerful French friends and was offered the charter to Louisiane, Company of the West. Reinstated Bienville as governor. 25 monopoly of LA and Canada, however he had to send at least 6,000 French and 3,000 slaves in first 10 years.

Law and Population Growth Propaganda, advertisements about how great LA was Concessions to wealthy (land grants) Redemptioner, had to work three years to repay his trip Sent criminals and misbehaving kids. Mississippi Bandits (hired gang / “thugs” to roam streets of Paris to seize the homeless, drunks, and street people) (population ~ 8,000)

Law New settlement started at New Orleans. Company of the Indies Named after Duke of Orleans New capital Vieux Carre Company of the Indies Mississippi Bubble

The Code Noir Laws adopted by the Superior Council Marriage Freedom Cruelty Slave Rights Equal Rights for Freed Slaves (les gens de couleur libres) Slave Culture Religion All baptized Only Catholic Anti-Semite attitude

The End of French Louisiane Perier became governor during the Second Natchez war. Fort Rosalie Massacre Great Sun and surviors shipped to St. Dominque St. Jean Baptiste ( Natchitoches ) Ended Laws Proprietorship 10 percent of Louisianes population lost

The End of French Louisiane Bienville restored as governor. English encouraged Chickasaw to attack French Could not defeat Chickasaw Enlisted slaves and promised freedom Chickasaw gave up Bienville gives up and never returns to LA New governor, Vaudreuil, defeats Chickasaw and introduces Mardi Gras Kerlerec was governor during the French and Indian War

The End of French Louisiane The Treaty of Fountainebleu France realized they were going to lose New France Secret treaty in which Spain gains the Louisiana Territory. The Treaty of Paris Ends French and Indian War England gained Canada and all of Louisiana east of the M.R. except the Isle of Orleans. Spain gains New Orleans and all land west of the M.R.

Treaty of Paris ~ Map