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Louisiana (New France)

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Louisiana sold in 1803 by Napoleon to the USA, which was a portion of the historical extent of French Louisiana
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Louisiana sold in 1803 by Napoleon to the USA, which was a portion of the historical extent of French Louisiana

Louisiana (French: La Louisiane) was the name of an administrative district of New France. Under French control from the 17th century to the 18th century, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV of France by French explorer Cavalier de la Salle. Originally covering an expansive territory that included most of the drainage basin of the Mississippi River and stretched from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains, Louisiana was divided into two regions, known as Upper Louisiana (French: "Haute-Louisiane" ), which began north of the Arkansas River, and Lower Louisiana (French: "Basse-Louisiane"). The present-day U.S. state of Louisiana is named for the historical region, although occupying only a small fraction of the territory claimed by the French.

Explored under the reign of Louis XIV of France, and named by Robert Cavelier de La Salle in 1682 in his honor, Louisiana was not greatly developed due to a lack of human and financial means. The French monarchy did not retain it for any reason other than to counter British imperialism. The French defeat in the Seven Years' War ended with France having been forced to cede the territory in 1763 to the victorious British and Spanish. France regained sovereignty of the territory through use of alliances with Native American tribes and warfare, but Napoleon Bonaparte decided to sell the territory in 1803 to the United States, ending France's presence in Louisiana.

Contents

Nature and geograhy

Swamps in Louisiana.
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Swamps in Louisiana.

In the 18th century, Louisiana included most of what is now the Midwestern United States region. Specifically demarcating the territory is difficult as it did not have formal, defined borders in the modern sense, as the only fortified area with any major population centers was the Mississippi Valley. Generally speaking, Louisiana bordered the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Michigan and Lake Erie towards the north. On the east, the French colony was separated by the Appalachian Mountains from the Thirteen British Colonies. The western Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains region marked the end of the zone of French control and the beginning of the "wild west" that was dominated by Native American tribes. Louisiana's southern border was formed by the Gulf of Mexico, which served as the port for the colony.

The colony was mostly flat, which aided European movement through the territory. Its average elevation is less than 1000 metres. The territory becomes more mountainous towards the north, with the notable exception of the Ozark Mountains, which are located in the south.

Lower Louisiana

The lower part of Louisiana (French: Basse-Louisiane), has a temperate climate which is marked by hurricanes in the regions along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that generally occur between late summer and early autumn. Winter frosts permit the cultivation of rice, tobacco, and indigo. The landscape of this area is characterised by many wetlands, with large marshes in the Mississippi River Delta and accompanying bayou, which started when rivulets and streams became separate from the Mississippi to form long, stagnant waterways, forming a navigable network of thousands of kilometres of water.

Upper Louisiana

The upper part of Louisiana (French: Haute-Louisiane), is mostly large, fertile plains. The climate is hot during the summer, while influenced by polar airflow in the winter. In the 17th century, large parts of the area were covered with forests, which were useful for sheltering animals bred for the fur trade. The forests were mostly cleared in the following 150 years.

History

Summary chronology

Exploration and conquest of French Louisiana

17th century: the time of exploration

In 1660, France started in a policy of expansion into North America from Canada. The objectives were to locate a the Northwest passage to China, to exploit the territories' natural resources such as fur and mineral ores, and to convert the native population to Christianity. Fur traders began exploring west of Canada, called the pays d'en haut at the time. In 1659, Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart des Groseilliers reached the western end of Lake Superior. Priests founded missions, such as the Mission of Sault Sainte Marie, in 1668. On May 17 1673, Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette began the exploration of the Mississippi river, which they called the Sioux Tongo (the large river) or Michissipi. They reached the mouth of the Arkansas River, and then went up-river, having learned that it ran towards the Gulf of Mexico and not towards the Pacific Ocean as they had previously presumed. In 1675, Marquette founded a mission in the village of Kaskaskias, on the Illinois River, which became permanent in 1690.

In 1682, Cavelier de La Salle and the Italian Henri de Tonti descended to the Mississippi delta. They left Fort Crèvecoeur on the Illinois River, accompanied by 23 Frenchmen and 18 Indians (Amerindians Havard G, Vidal C.e, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 106.). They built Fort Prud'homme, which later became the city of Memphis. They asserted French sovereignty on the whole of the valley and called it Louisiane in honor of the king Louis XIV. They sealed alliances with the Quapaw Indians. In April 1682, they arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi; they drew up a cross and a column there carrying the weapons of king de France. Forwarding sets out again by the same way towards Canada and La Salle returns to Versailles. There, he convinced the minister of the marine to grant the command of Louisiana to him. He pretends that it is close to New-Spain by drawing a chart on which Mississippi appeared much further west than it is in reality. He sets up a maritime forwarding with four ships and 320 emigrants [ http://www.herodote.net/histoire04090.htm Hérodote.net ], "April 9, 1682, Cavelier de La Salle baptizes Louisiana", but this one turns to disaster: it does not manage to find the delta of Mississippi and is assassinated in 1687.

XVIIIth century : beginning of true colonization

In 1701, the French Antoine Laumet of Mothe, sior of Cadillac founds a fort at the site of the current city of Detroit, in Michigan. At first, the colony is called ' ' Fort Pontchartrain of the détroit' ' in the honor of the count de Pontchartrain, minister for the Navy, and in connection with the configuration of the lakes Sainte-Claire and Érié of which it occupies Western banks. Cadillac wishes thus to prevent that the beaverfur trade does not fall into the hands of Iroquois and of the British merchants. His intention is also to join together at the station of Detroit the Amerindian allies and to assimilate them to the French nation. He leaves Montreal on June 5, 1701 with a hundred people, half inhabitants, half soldiers, and two missionaries. June 24, the group is installed on the site where soon the construction of a fort starts. In 1698, Pierre LeMoyne d' Iberville leaves La Rochelle and explores the area of the mouth of Mississippi. He stops between Cat Island and Ship Island it February 13 1699, then continues his explorations of the continent, at Biloxi, with his/her brother Jean-Baptist Moyne de Bienville. There he built a precarious fort, called "Maurepas" or "Old Biloxi", before returning to France. He returns twice to the Gulf of Mexico and establishes a fort at Mobile in 1702. 1699 to 1702, Pierre Moyne d' Iberville is the governor of Louisiana. His brother succeeds him at this post from 1702 to 1713. He is again governor from 1716 until 1724 and again from 1733 until 1743. In 1718, Jean-Baptist Moyne de Bienville orders a French expedition in Louisiana. He founds the city of New-Orleans, in homage to régent, it duc of Orleans. It is the architect Adrien de Pauger who draws the orthogonal plan of it (Le Square Old man).

Map of the area that LeMoyne d'Iberville has explored. The Dash lines are the current states borders
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Map of the area that LeMoyne d'Iberville has explored. The Dash lines are the current states borders

treaties of Utrecht (1713) put an end to war of succession of Spain in Europe. They devote the retreat of the French power. Even if Louis XIV succeeded in placing his grandson (Philippe V) on the Spanish throne, this one gives up its rights to the crown of France. Moreover, the Acadie and a part of the West-Indian colonies are lost. Louisiana remains French but worries about the increasing influence of the British colonies. The king seeks from now on to contain this influence in the east of the Appalachian Mountains. He attempts an alliance with New-Spain, located west of Louisiana. This policy is justified by its family ties but also by the hope to reach the mines and the trade of the Spanish colonies. He continuous exploration of the west: in 1714, Louis Juchereau of Saint-Denis goes up red river and reached the Rio Grande. The same year, Étienne Véniard de Bourgmont sails on Missouri. The zone of French influence extends considerably and the voyages provide the foundations of the recognition of Far West.)

Political and administrative organization

It was not easy for an absolute monarchy to administer Louisiana, a territory several times larger than Metropolitan France. Louis XIV and his successors tried to impose their absoluteist ambitions on the colony, often without giving the colonial administration enough financial means.

Absolutism in Louisiana?

Jean-Baptiste Colbertl.
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Jean-Baptiste Colbertl.

If the leaders of the Ancien Régime took control and sometimes encourages the colonisation of New France, it was for many different reasons.

The reign of Henri IV gave an important impetuses to the colonisation of New France. Henri IV, the first bourbon king, was personally interested in foreign affairs. In the 17th century, ministers Richelieu and later Colbert advanced colonial politics. Louis XIV and his ministers were worried about the grandeur of the kingdom, over which they constantly competed with other European nations. European rivalry and a game of political alliances greatly marked the history of Louisiane, in direct and indirect ways. The desire to limit British influence in the New World, however, was a constant in royal politics.

(the sun king takes care to limit the appearance of intermediate bodies and countervailing powers in North America. He does not want a états provincial, of assemblée of notable or parlements. In 1685, it prohibits the imprimery in all News-France Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 167.. In the years 1660, the colony is attached directly to the royal field. Between 1712 and 1731, the French possession passes under the control of Antoine Crozat, a financial rich person, then under that of Company of Louisiana created by John Law. This one must recruit emigrants to populate the colony. In 1731, Louisiana is replaced under the direct authority of king de France. Contrary to what occurs in metropolis, the laws are the same ones everywhere: it is it habit of Paris which applies and this one is rather levelling for the time J Meyer, J Tarrade, A. Rey-Goldzeiguer, ' ' French history coloniale' ', p. 114-115.. The riots and the revolts against the authorities are rare. However, it centralization louis-quatorzienne stumbles at the distances which separate France from Louisiana. To the end of the century and to the beginning of the century, the colonists of the Gulf of Mexico are almost delivered to themselves and must more count on the assistance of the Amerindians that on that of the metropolis. But the distance has also its advantages: the Louisianian colonists deliver themselves without problem to the traffics of smuggling. Jean-Baptist Colbert, Minister for the Navy and the Trade of Louis XIV, is attentive to increase the richnesses of the crown. He melts of the companies of trade, takes care to increase the production of the country and the colonies. It is necessary to sell as much as possible and reduce the imports: mercenary attitude the policy inspires overseas. It imposes the monopoly of France as regards trade. However, the ambitions absolutists carry in them a notable contradiction: Colbert wants to reduce the expenditure of monarchy. It is however necessary to invest much money and to mobilize important human resources to emphasize the colonies of America. Great work of economic infrastructures (manufactures, ports) is undertaken in metropolis; but the investments and installations are insufficient in Louisiana. Nothing is really carried out to facilitate the movement of the goods or the men. In the same way, whereas the French budget is overdrawn because of the wars, the colonists of Louisiana do not pay it taille royal and are free of gabelle.

The executives policy and legal

Map of North America during the 17th century
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Map of North America during the 17th century

Under Ancien Régime, French Louisiana forms part of a unit much vaster, the French empire of America or "New-France", which includes a part of current Canada. New-France was initially directed by a viceroy: this station is occupied by the duke of Ventadour (1625). Then it is equipped with a general government like the other possessions of the Bourbons. Its seat is in the city of Québec until in 1759. One gouverneur general, assisted by one intendant, tries to direct this vast unit. In theory, Louisiana thus depends on Canada. It is besides more by the Canadians whom by the French that it is explored and populated. Moreover, the distances are impressive (New-Orleans was to several thousands of kilometers in the south of Quebec) and the communications are limited between the urban centres and the forts. The French establishments are very dispersed and have consequently a relative autonomy in fact. A regional cutting in smaller entities is made necessary by the vastness and the diversity of the colony: New-France in fact is divided into five particular governments, of which that of Louisiana. The Country of Illinois, located at the south of the Large Lakes, is attached to Louisiana in 1717. The first "capital" of French Louisiana is Mobile. It is transferred to Biloxi in 1720 then in New-Orleans in 1723, where the governor resides (particular). This one is the most eminent character but not most powerful. It orders the troops and is occupied of the diplomatic relations. The second authority is the police chief-director. Its functions are similar with those of the intendants in metropolis: administrators and representatives of the king, their prerogatives extend to justice, the police force and finances. They manage the budget, fix the prices, chair the higher council (the Court of Justice) and organize it census. Named by the king, the ordnance officer of Louisiana has broad capacities which enter sometimes in conflict with those of the governor. The military stations of the interior are directed by commanders. Other officers make them live, the such guard-store.

The religious framing

Saint-Louis cathedral, in the New-Orleans
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Saint-Louis cathedral, in the New-Orleans

The French possessions of North America are under the authority of only one diocese whose seat is in Quebec. The évêque one, named and remunerated by the king, are in load of the hearts of all New-France. The spiritual framing of the population thus is very slackened and the Louisianians practise much less than the subways. dîme, tax poured with clergy by the faithful ones, is weaker than in metropolis. The Church plays a part of foreground for the exploration of French Louisiana: it sends missions, primarily carried out by Jésuites, for évangéliser the autochtones. It creates school and hospital establishments: as of the years 1720, the s?urs Ursulines are occupied of one hospital in New-Orleans. They establish contacts with the Amerindian tribes. Certain priests, such as the father Inlays with the century, take part in the missions of exploration. The missionaries stick to évangéliser the autochtones: the Jesuits write for this purpose collections of prayers in the Amerindian languages. Living sometimes in the tribes, they cannot prevent some syncretism of the practices and beliefs. If they regard to them manitous as demons, they can also integrate the dogmas of the Christian faith in the Indian rites. Sincere and durable conversions are limited; Jesus is assimilated to other "spirits", or frankly rejected by the natives.

Colonial society

It is difficult to evaluate the total population of the colonies of North America. If the historians have relatively precise sources with regard to the colonists and the slaves, it is on the other hand much more difficult to count the Amerindians. It should be noted that during the century, the Louisianian company créolise.

Native Americans

According to the historian Russel Thorntorn, North America counts approximately seven million inhabitants towards 1500 Russel Thorntorn, ' ' American Indian Holocaust and Survival...'', Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.. The population is decimated as of the century, primarily because of the diseases introduced by Europeans, against whom the Amerindians are not immunized. At the end of the century, there remain nothing any more but 100 to 200 000 autochtones in Low-Louisiana Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 201.. A certain number of Amerindians are employed like esclaves from the very start of XVIII×10 century, in spite of official prohibition. These slaves are captured by the tribes during raids and of battle. The French then send them to Santo Domingo, in the Antilles or even to Canada. In Louisiana, the growers prefer the Africans to them, even if some have Amerindian servants.

African slaves

The Code noir, which was applied in Louisiana during the 18th century, and later with some modifications in the West Indies
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The Code noir, which was applied in Louisiana during the 18th century, and later with some modifications in the West Indies

It is into 1717 that the Minister for Finance John Law decides to import black slaves in Louisiana. Its objective is then to develop the economy of plantations in Lower-Louisiana. The company of the Indies holds the monopoly of the draft in the area. It makes come approximately 6 000 slaves Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 242. of Africa between 1719 and 1743. A part is sent in the country of Illinois to cultivate the fields or to work the mines. The economy of Low-Louisiana becomes consequently slave. As in the remainder of the French colonies, the condition of the slaves is regulated by [[black Codes. Actually, this last is applied little and the slaves have a certain autonomy in fact. Initially, during the public holidays, the slaves cultivate a small piece which enables them to sell their productions then. Then, some drive out, cut wood or keep the herds, far from the plantation. Lastly, if the interraciaux marriages and the regroupings of slaves are prohibited, the cohabitation and the meetings are often practised. The life and the work of the slaves are difficult: the moment of harvests is undoubtedly most painful. The maintenance of the channels concerns drudgery. The residences are modest and the slaves sleep on simple straw mattresses. They have some trunks and kitchen utensils. The condition of the slaves depends on the cruelty of their Master. When it is unbearable, the slaves flee and hide in the marshes or in New-Orleans. But this marronnage is often only temporary and Louisiana does not know really maroon villages as in the Antilles. In the same way, the revolts are not very frequent in this area. The possibilities of stamping are altogether rather reduced: the slaves cannot buy themselves their freedom. Some freed (women, people having been useful in the army) form a small community which suffers from segregation: justice is more severe in their opposition and they do not have the harbour due of weapons. The slaves contribute to the creolisation of the Louisianian company. They bring from Africa it gumbo, a plant which uses the preparation of. If the black Code requires that the slaves receive a Christian education, much practices animists African keep (amulettes, voodoo,...)

Colonists

It is estimated that 7000 emigrants Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', French p..205. come to settle in Louisiana with the century. They is 100 times less than the number of British colonists on the Atlantic coast. Louisiana attracts much less the French of the time that the Antilles. After the crossing of the Océan Atlantique, which lasts several months, the colonists must take up several challenges. Their living conditions are difficult: uprooted, they must face a new often hostile environment. A great part of these travellers die during the maritime crossing or in their arrival. The cyclones and the tropical storms destroy the campings. The insalubrity of the delta of Mississippi represents also a strong constraint. The villages and the forts are not safe from enemy offensives. The attacks of the Amerindians represent a real threat on the groups of isolated colonists: in 1729, the attacks of Natchez make 250 dead in Low-Louisiana J Meyer, J Tarrade, A. Rey-Goldzeiguer, ' ' French history coloniale' ', p. 188.. They seize strong Rosalie by surprised and break the pregnant women Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 303.. The French response arrives in 1730 and 1731 and causes the escape of Natchez or them deportation like slaves towards the island of Santo Domingo. The migrants are often young men, volunteers recruited in the French ports or in Paris and which are put at the service of colonists on the spot. They must remain in Louisiana the time fixed by the contract of service, then they return to France. These volunteers are "' ' of true semi-slaves temporaires' '" J Meyer, J Tarrade, A. Rey-Goldzeiguer, ' ' French history coloniale' ', p. 22. One proposes to the soldiers to marry with "Girls with the cassette": these young Frenchwomen are sent in America to marry soldiers. The king finances them dowry, the goal being to fix and increase the population. Women of easy virtue, vagrants or outlaws, wire of family stopped on lettre de cachet are sent of force in Louisiana, especially during Regency (1715-1723). These destinies inspire the novel History of the Knight Of Grieux and Manon Lescaut (1731) written by Abbé Prévost. French Louisiana is also populated by the Swiss ones and Germans. However, the metropolitan authorities never speak about "Louisianian" but always of "French" to designate the population Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 595.. After Seven Year old war, the settlement is more mixed and the area grows rich by various human contributions: refugees of Santo Domingo, French refusing it Révolution... In 1785, it Deportation of Acadian brings 1633 people to New-Orleans J Meyer..., ' ' French history coloniale' ', p. 289..

Pesants, artisans, and merchants

The social mobility is easier in America than in metropolis. système seigneurial misses on banks of Mississippi. There does not exist corporations treated on a hierarchical basis and strictly regulated. Certain tradesmen manage to build fortunes rather quickly. The large growers of Louisiana are attached to the French way of life: they make import wigs and clothing of Paris. In the Country of Illinois, richest set up stone-built houses and have several slaves. The largest traders end up settling in New-Orleans.

French soldiers

The king sends the army in the event of conflict with the other colonial powers: in 1717, the colony of Mississippi counts 300 soldiers out of 550 people Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 225.. But it is victim, as in metropolis besides, of desertions. Certain soldiers flee and become runners of wood. There is few mutineries because repression is severe. The army holds a fundamental place in the control of the territory. The men build forts and negotiate with the Amerindians.

Wood runners

Coureur de bois
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Coureur de bois

The runners of wood play an important part, on which one has few documents, in the extension of the French influence in North America. As of the end of the century, these adventurers go up the affluents of Mississippi. They are pushed by the hope to find gold or to make trade of fur with the Indians. The draft of the skins, often practised without authorization, is a difficult activity, carried on most of the time by unmarried young men. Much of them finally wishes sédentariser to be reconverted into the agricultural activities. Good number are integrated in the communities autochtones. They learn their language and take Amerindian wives: one knows well the case of the Canadian-French All Saints' day Charbonneau and of his Sacagawea wife, who had a fore-mentioned son Jean-Baptist. They take part in the expédition Lewis and Clark, at the beginning of the century.

French-Native American relations

Eugène Delacroix, Les Natchez, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1832-1835. The Natchez tribe are the most fierce opponents of the French in Louisiana
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Eugène Delacroix, Les Natchez, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1832-1835. The Natchez tribe are the most fierce opponents of the French in Louisiana

If France of Ancien Régime wishes to make Indians of the subjects of the king and good Christians, the distance of the metropolis and the weakness of the French settlement prevent the result of this objective. In rhetoric the ] official one, the Amerindians are regarded as subjects of king de France. But actually, the autochtones keep an important autonomy related to their numerical superiority. The local authorities (governors, officers) do not have the means of imposing the decisions and often exploit the base of the compromise. The tribes offer an essential support for the French maintenance in Louisiana: they ensure the survival of the colonists, provide skins within the framework of the draft of the furs, are used as guide in forwardings... Their alliance is essential in the fight against the British. The two people influence themselves mutually in many fields: from the French the languages learn from the autochtones; Amerindians adopt the European goods (fabrics, cloths, alcohol, weapons with fire...) and their religion. The runners of wood and the soldiers borrow the boats of bark and the moccasins. Much of them eats à.la.mode Indian (wild rice, various meats, sometimes of the ours and of the dog Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 348.. The colonists are often dependent on the Amerindians for their provisioning of food. cuisine of Louisiana is the heiress of these contacts: thus, the sagamity is a pulp of corn, grease of bear and bacon. jambalaya, word of origin séminole, indicates today a multitude of meat receipts containing rice, all very spiced. Sometimes chamanes succeed in curing the colonists thanks to traditional remedies (application of gum of fir tree on the wounds, osmund consumption on a bite of rattlesnake). Many colonists admire and fear the military value of the autochtones. But of others scorn their culture and regard them as lower than the White. With the century, the interraciaux marriages without the approval of the authorities are prohibited in Louisiana (ordinance of 1735). the priests Jesuits are often scandalized m?urs libertines of the Amerindians. In spite of some disagreements (the Indians kill the pigs which devastate the corn fields) and sometimes of the confrontations violent one (war of the Foxes, risings natchez and forwardings against Chicachas), the relations free-Indians are relatively good in Louisiana, because the French are not numerous. The French imperialism is expressed by some wars and the setting in slavery of a certain number of Amerindians. But most of the time, the relations free-Indians are based on the dialogue and the negotiation.

Economy of Louisiane

American trapper form Missouri.
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American trapper form Missouri.

In this immense unit which is French Louisiana, it is advisable to distinguish two great areas with the well differentiated productive systems.

Pays des Illinois

This area of French Louisiana, located at north and drained by Mississippi and its affluents, produces primarily cereals. The French farmers, very few let us point out it, live in some grouped villages (Extremely of Chartres, Kaskaskia, Meadow of the Rock, Sainte-Geneviève). They cultivate using a hand of?uvre paid and servile, corn and wheat. The meadows are development thanks to plough the ] traditional one. They raise horses, bovines and pigs. In complement, they make push a little tobacco, hemp, of flax and vine (even if the essence of the wine is imported of France). Agriculture is subjected to the climatic risks and the overflows of Mississippi. The strengthened stations of draft of the Country of Illinois concentrate on the trade of the furs. Placed at strategic places, they are strengthened in a modest way. Some only are out of stone (Extremely of Chartres, Fort the Niagara). Like their American counterparts (' ' the mountain men' '), the runners of wood exchange the skins of beaver or of roe-deer against weapons, parts of fabric or shoddy goods, because the local economy is based on barter. They sell then the skins and the furs in the forts or the cities of News-France. The Country of Illinois also produces salt, lead and dispatches towards New-Orleans of game.

Basse-Louisiane

Plantation economy

The south of Louisiana is exploited according to the system of the slave plantation. The owners generally reside at New-Orleans and entrust the direction of the field to a treasurer. The cultures are varied and adapted to the natural conditions: a part of the productions is intended to nourish the inhabitants of Louisiana (corn, vegetables, rice, breeding). Another part is exported towards the metropolis (tobacco and indigo).

Economic role of New Orleans

New-Orleans is the economic capital of French Louisiana, even if it is only one simple village during several decades. The colonists arranged infrastructures allowing the trade: a channel is bored since 1723. The stores are used as warehouses on banks of Mississippi. The city exports the skins coming from the interior as well as the products of plantation. It is also used as local market. Its shops and its markets allow the sale of products of the plantations. The rare convoys coming from France bring food (bacon, corn...), alcohols and various objects (weapons, tools, fabrics, clothing). Interior come from the skins and various products of hunting. The port dispatches tobacco and indigo towards the metropolis. But these exports remain on the whole relatively weak. New-Orleans still sells wood, rice and corn in the French West Indies.

The end of French LouisianeLa fin de la Louisiane française

The Seven Years' War and its consequences

New-Orleans is the economic capital of French Louisiana, even if it is only one simple village during several decades. The colonists arranged infrastructures allowing the trade: a channel is bored since 1723. The stores are used as warehouses on banks of Mississippi. The city exports the skins coming from the interior as well as the products of plantation. It is also used as local market. Its shops and its markets allow the sale of products of the plantations. The rare convoys coming from France bring food (bacon, corn...), alcohols and various objects (weapons, tools, fabrics, clothing). Interior come from the skins and various products of hunting. The port dispatches tobacco and indigo towards the metropolis. But these exports remain on the whole relatively weak. New-Orleans still sells wood, rice and corn in the French West Indies.

The ephemeral renewal of French Louisiane

During French revolution, Louisiana under Spanish control is agitated: certain French-speaking colonists send petitions in metropolis and the slaves try to revolt in 1791 and 1795. treaty of San Ildefonso, signed in secrecy the 1800, envisages the transfer of Western Louisiana as well as New-Orleans in France in exchange of the duchy of Parma. However, Napoléon Bonaparte decides not to keep this immense territory. Dictated by political realism and the rupture of peace of Amiens with the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Ireland linked themselves to become the United Kingdom in 1801), the decision is made to sell Louisiana to the young people the United States it April 30 1803 against the sum of 80 million franks (15 million dollars). American sovereignty between in force it December 20 1803 (act of ' ' Louisiana Purchase'').

French heritage

The seal of MInnesota bears the legacy of the French: "the star of the north".
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The seal of MInnesota bears the legacy of the French: "the star of the north".

French colonization in Louisiana left a cultural inheritance which has been given in value for a few decades. The heritage of the French language and of French cajun is that which tends to be most currently erased: this is why it CODOFIL (Conseil for the development of the French in Louisiana), created years 1960 the, continuous one to teach a French version enters the old dialect cadien and French ' ' parisien' ' or subway. Today, the areas cajun or cadiennes of Louisiana often form associations with Acadiens of Canada which send French professors to relearn the language in the schools. In 2003, 7.% of the Louisianians Havard G, Vidal C, ' ' History of America française' ', p. 729. are French-speaking, even if they also speak English. One estimates at 25.% the share of those which have a French ascent. They carry patronyms of French origin (To stop, Cordier, Dion, Menard, Pineaux, Roubideaux, etc). Many cities or villages have evocative names: Saint Louis, Detroit, Baton-Rouge, New-Orleans... the flag and the seal of the state of Minnesota carry a French legend. The historical festivals and commemorations point out the French presence of the modern time: in 1999, New-Orleans celebrated the birthday of its foundation; in 2001, it was the turn of Detroit. In 2003, many exposures [ http://www.louisiane.culture.fr/fr/index2.html "French Louisiana" ]. as well as a conference recalled the history of the sale of Louisiana at the time of the bicentenary. Certain places and of many museums testify to a cultural inheritance left by the French. One thinks initially of quartier of New-Orleans. Many French forts were reconstituted and opened with the public. A part of the Louisianian culture plunges its roots during the French time: the creole song influenced the blues and the jazz. The music cadjine remains very alive still today. carnival of New-Orleans testifies to an always long-lived catholic tradition.)

See also

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Sources

French
English

External links

 

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