Mississippi Explorers

Hernando De Soto

Spanish Came to North America in search of gold and silver Brought 600 soldiers with him and introduced hogs and horses to North America.

…….Hernando De Soto Received supplies and guides by holding Native American chiefs hostage. He never discovered gold or silver but is credited with discovering the Mississippi River. Brought many diseases that killed mass amounts of Native Americans.

Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette

Jolliet and Marquette French Initially looking for a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Sailed down the Mississippi River, discovered that it flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, and turned around.

Robert de La Salle and Henri de Tonti

LaSalle and Tonti French Sailed down the Mississippi River and claimed the region for France Visited the Natchez Indians in Vicksburg and sailed on to the Gulf of Mexico.

Iberville ( Pierre le Moyne)

Iberville French Built Fort Maurepas on the present site of Ocean Springs. This was the first permanent European settlement in Mississippi.

Bienville (Jean-Baptiste le Moyne)

Bienville French Established New Orleans in Built Fort Rosalie at the present site of Natchez.

Relationship Between Europeans and Native Americans

…..Native Americans and Europeans The French and Indian War was fought between France and Great Britain to see who would gain control of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

…..Native American and Europeans The Choctaw sided with the French and the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Creek sided with the English. (British)

…..Native Americans and Europeans The French lost the war and the Treaty of 1763 forced France to give up all of its territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans, to Great Britain.

…..Native Americans and Europeans The Natchez District remained under Spanish rule, and it flourished with its population tripling within 3 years.

Statehood As the population increased, so did the demand for statehood. The governor of the Mississippi territory was Winthrop Sargent.

Statehood The Mississippi territory was divided into two states: Mississippi and Alabama

Statehood Mississippi became the 20 th state on December 10, 1817.

Statehood * David Holmes became the first governor of the state of Mississippi.