Early Louisiana History Timeline and The First Occupants
Louisiana History Timeline: The North American continent was already inhabited when the Europeans came to colonize it. We do not know the date of the arrival of indigenous nations in America, but archaeological discoveries tell us that the east of the continent has been inhabited for almost 12,000 years. Before the arrival of the Europeans, there was an indigenous population scattered in small groups in different parts of the territory. This population was very low density. Throughout North America, some anthropologists estimate the Aboriginal population at around 1.5 million at the beginning of the 16th century, including 220,000 in what is now Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Native people of Louisiana
The Native Louisiana history: As for the native populations of Louisiana (La), that is to say the very vast region which stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes, they would number less than 50,000, but some 400,000 on the Pacific coast, present-day Texas and Mexico. In Louisiana, that number of 50,000 was to melt away very quickly. The Jesuit fathers estimated that where the French had settled, only 15% of the Amerindians were able to resist the first twenty years of colonization. Infectious diseases, alcoholism and tribal wars instigated by the French and the British in the name of their own interests decimated the native populations.
A Brief History of Louisiana Timeline
A Brief Louisiana History: “Louisiana is one of the fifty American states. The same is located in the southeastern region of the country, bordering the States of Arkansas in the north, Mississippi to the east, Texas to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The state has the name “The Pelican State”, since this bird was very common on its coastline.
Initially, Louisiana was a French colonial province, having passed into Spanish rule in 1763, and returned again to French rule in 1800. On October 31, 1803, the United States officially purchased the territory of Louisiana, raising it to the category of state on April 30, 1812.”
What was Louisiana Purchase?
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson signed a treaty with Napoleon Bonaparte who ceded a giant strip of land to the United States during the Louisiana Purchase. This doubled the size of America, giving the country access to the all-important Mississippi River trade route and the port city of New Orleans. The land included in the agreement would eventually become 13 new EU states for a few cents an acre.
History on Louisiana
1803 Louisiana History: In 1803, the France sold the French colony of Louisiana to the United States for the sum of 15 million dollars (80 million francs). The treaty of cession was signed in Paris on April 30, 1803, in the Hotel Tubeuf, then Ministry of the Treasury. The signatories were, on the French side, the Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, Minister of the Treasury, on behalf of Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul, and, on the American side, James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, envoys of the President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.
The official transfer of power took place on December 20, 1803, in New Orleans, during a ceremony in the meeting room of the council of the “Cabildo”, the governor’s palace located in the heart of the historic center, in the “French Quarter”, in the presence of Pierre Clément de Laussat for France, and William C.C. Claiborne and General James Wilkinson for the United States. During this ceremony, the French flag was lowered and replaced by the American flag.
This vast territory of more than 2,144,476 km2 (530,000,000 acres) corresponds to 22.3% of the current area of the United States, much more than the current state of Louisiana. Indeed, it included what is now Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska; parts of Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado; as well as parts of the present-day provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada.
The French Colony
French Louisiana History: Initially, President Jefferson commissioned James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston to negotiate the purchase of the Port of New Orleans and the northern Gulf Coast region known as West Florida for $10 million. But when Napoleon Bonaparte offered to sell them the entire French colony of Louisiana, American negotiators were quick to accept. With this cession, young America saw the extent of its territory double, extending considerably westwards.
The sale of the French colony of Louisiana by Napoleon Bonaparte to the United States of America marked the end of a long history that spanned three centuries. However, French colonization in Louisiana left an important cultural heritage, and the French language remained the main language spoken in Louisiana until the Civil War.
People Culture and Fashion of Louisiana
The state of Louisiana is truly unique. It is located in the southern United States but standing tall on its own history. The atmosphere of modern Louisiana is a perfect blend of cultures that include Africans, French, Native Americans, Canadians, Haitians, and Europeans. All of these influences come together to create a unique spirit that can only be found in this southern state.
Louisiana is bordered on the east by the Mississippi River and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. It has housed many inhabitants over the years. Many of these inhabitants have come together to form communities with cultures of their own, specifically the distinctive Cajun culture of southwest La. And of course, we have New Orleans. This top-notch city is rich in history and charm. It has a unique carnival music, gastronomic and festival scene in the region. In addition, the state’s distinctive environmental features, such as the vast swamps and bird populations that inhabit them, as well as the many outdoor destinations in the north.
Getty Image Corrie Gallien.
Major dates in Louisiana’s history
French Louisiana
- 1539-1542: The conquistador Hernando de Soto leaves Florida and explores the Mississippi to its mouth. He died of fever without having found the fabulous riches he had hoped for. This attempt considered a failure, dissuaded Spain from colonizing this region.
- 1682: French explorer Cavelier de La Salle travels down the entire Mississippi River to its mouth. He solemnly took possession of this country on April 9. He named it Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV.
- 1697: By the Treaty of Ryswick, Louis XIV has his rights over Louisiana recognized.
- 1699: Le Moyne d’Iberville’s mission is to establish the colony of Mississippi under the name of Louisiana.
- 1718: Sieur de Bienville founds New Orleans, which he named in honor of the regent Philippe d’Orléans.
The Spanish Louisiana
The Spanish Louisia History Timeline:
- 1762: Treaty of Fontainebleau. Louis XV secretly ceded to Spain the Louisiana territories west of the Mississippi. A consequence of the defeat of the France in the 7 Years War.
- 1763: Treaty of Paris. Louis XV ceded to the English all the Louisiana territories east of the Mississippi. With the exception of New Orleans.
A French interlude
The French Louisiana History Timeline:
- 1800: Secret Treaty of San Ildefonse. Spain returned to the France the Louisiana territories west of the Mississippi.
- End of 1801: General Leclerc leaves France to reconquer Saint-Domingue in order to find a rear base.
- Summer 1802: General Claude Victor assembles a fleet in Holland in preparation for a departure for New Orleans the following winter.
- Fall 1802: The Spanish Intendant of New Orleans closes the port to all foreign ships. And it withdraws the right to deposit goods in the United States.
- January 1803: President Jefferson sends James Monroe on an extraordinary mission to France. He had to propose a division of authority of Louisiana to Bonaparte.
- March 1803: Bonaparte learns that General Leclerc’s expedition to Saint-Domingue has turned into a disaster.
Louisiana to the Americans
American Louisiana History Timeline:
- April 11, 1803: Bonaparte entrusts the minister Barbé-Marbois with the negotiation of the sale of Louisiana for 50 million francs.
- April 30, 1803: The cession of Louisiana is signed for 80 million francs ($15,000,000). Including 20 million in compensation owed by the France to the Americans.
Louisiana to the Americans Read More History of France
References
- HISTORY IN GENERAL: HISTORY OF LOUISIANA (historiaengeneral.blogspot.com)
- History – France Louisiana (france-louisiane.com)
