Rene-Robert de La Salle Explorations
Rene-Robert de La Salle
Introduction
- Born on Nov. 1st, 1643
- Initally studied for priesthood
- Moved to New France in 1667
- Befriended the Iroquois and learned of the Mississippi
- Traveled from Canada and went down south from the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Primary regions explored were around the Great lakes and the Mississippi River
Route
Exploration of 1682
Exploration
- Goal to build trading posts
- Built Fort Frontenac and traded with Iroquois - control of the fur trade and a defensive wall
- Canoed the Mississippi and stopped at the Gulf of Mexico
- Claimed the surrounding lands for France and named it Louisiana
- Returned to establish a colony in Louisiana
- Advantage over Spanish interest since France opposed Spanish rule
- Accidently sailed into modern day Texas
- Was murdered by his own men due to many deaths and lack of supplies
What he brought back
- Fur
- Claimed the entire Mississippi River Basin (Louisiana)
- Good relations with Native Americans
Change
- Established a trade route between Canada and Louisiana
- Sparked a renewal in spanish exploration.
- Military, social, and political allliance with Native Americans peoples.
- New land claimed for France which they controlled for nearly a century. Increased their land in North America.