Chapter 5: The Spanish Explore Texas
Lesson 3: A Challenge From France La Salle Explores the Mississippi
Spain no longer the only European power in North America. French & British had a presence. La Salle Explores the Mississippi
1682:Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle expanded the French Empire. La Salle navigated down the Mississippi. Navigate-to find a way to pass over or along a body of water. La Salle Explores the Mississippi
Claimed all land drained by the Mississippi River for France. The French Found Fort St. Louis
La Salle returns to France. Asks for permission to establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The French Found Fort St. Louis
King Louis of France supported the La Salle expedition. Plan to build a settlement had to be kept a secret from the Spanish who would be angered at a French site so near Texas. The French Found Fort St. Louis
Summer 1684:La Salle leaves France with four ships and 300 solders and settlers. The French Found Fort St. Louis
Around the coast of Haiti a Spanish Privateer captured one of La Salles ships. Privateer-a government sponsored, privately owned pirate ship that prey on ships from other countries. The French Found Fort St. Louis
Had trouble along the way, they got lost. February 1685:missed the mouth of the Mississippi and lands at Matagorda Bay. During the landing one of the ships wreck. Poor Maps, Red Circle Actual Mississippi River, Blue Line where La Salle thought the Mississippi was located. The French Found Fort St. Louis The French Found Fort St. Louis
Fort St. Louis - settlement built by members of the La Salle Expedition. Settlement consisted of several simple houses and a five room fort; eight cannons placed around walls for protection. Cannons excavated at site of Fort St. Louis French Troubles La Salle leads an expedition westward towards the Rio Grande still searching for the Mississippi. Gone from October 1685 to March 1686. Colony falls into crisis. French Troubles Hunger and disease kill colonists.
Attacks by Karankawa Indians. July 1685:Over of the colonists are dead. French Troubles La Salle returns to find desperate conditions. La Salle leads 17 men toward Canada for help. Headed east towards the Mississippi River.
French Troubles Headed east towards the Mississippi River. Journey through wilderness was difficult. La Salle killed by his own men.
French Troubles La Salle killed by his own men. 6 men make it to Canada. French Troubles Fewer than 30 people left at Fort St. Louis.
Late 1688/Early 1689:Karankawa Indians attack and destroy the fort. All adults were killed; five children were taken captive. French Troubles Frances claim to Louisiana was made possible by La Salles exploration of the Mississippi. Results of French exploration in Texas:
Spain and France Feud Results of French exploration in Texas: Renewed Spanish interest in the region. Spanish Missions Spanish settlement