The history of Louisiana and New Orleans is intrinsically intertwined, with the vibrant city often regarded as a microcosm of the entire state’s past. From its earliest European explorations to its pivotal role under various colonial powers, the narrative of Louisiana and New Orleans history is a captivating journey through discovery, ambition, and resilience.
Early Spanish Expeditions and the Mississippi River
The first recorded traverse of Louisiana and the majestic Mississippi River by European explorers dates back to 1536. This era saw the remnants of Panfilo de Narvaez’s ill-fated Spanish expedition, a futile attempt to conquer Florida and unearth gold, escape westward toward the Pacific Ocean. Narvaez had claimed territory extending to the River of Palms, likely the Colorado River, highlighting Spain’s early but often disastrous ventures into the vast North American continent.
Despite Narvaez’s failure, the allure of the New World persisted. In 1537, Hernando de Soto, a seasoned companion of Pizzaro from the conquest of Peru, secured permission from King Charles V to conquer Florida at his own expense. Landing on May 31, 1539, his well-equipped army faced immense hardship, eventually reaching the Mississippi River two years later. Tragically, de Soto died in May 1542, traditionally buried in the very waters he discovered. The emaciated survivors of his expedition eventually descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico in July 1543, enduring incredible privations. Thus, the Spanish are credited with the discovery of the ‘Father of Waters,’ with no further record of white men visiting it for 130 years.
French Rediscovery and Claiming of Louisiana
A new chapter in exploration began in 1673 when Father Jacques Marquette, a missionary monk, and Sieur Joliet from Picardy, France, embarked on an expedition from French Canada. With a small party, they navigated the upper Mississippi River, descending to a point south of the Arkansas River before returning, significantly expanding French knowledge of the continent’s interior.
La Salle and the Naming of Louisiana
The most decisive French claim came in 1682, when Robert Cavalier de la Salle, then based at Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario, ventured down the great river. Accompanied by Chevalier Henri de Tonti, an Italian veteran officer, and under the patronage of King Louis XIV, La Salle reached the Mississippi’s banks above the passes on April 9, 1682. There, he formally claimed the entire region in the name of his sovereign, Louis XIV, and named it Louisiana in his honor. This act laid the foundation for future French colonial aspirations.
Early French Colonization Efforts
In January 1699, a significant expedition of 300 men, led by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brothers Sauvolle and Bienville, was dispatched to colonize Louisiana. They established a fort on Biloxi Bay. In February, Iberville and Bienville, joined by Father Athanase, previously with La Salle, ascended the Mississippi River in small boats. They visited the Bayagoulas village, where they found relics of La Salle and Tonti, and named Pointe Coupee. Their return journey saw them traverse and name Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain, honoring prominent French officials.
Later that year, Sauvolle was appointed the first Governor of the Colony, with Bienville as Lieutenant-Governor. Following Sauvolle’s death from fever in 1701, Bienville succeeded him as governor. France continued to experiment with colonial administration, granting Anthony Crozat a 15-year charter for exclusive commerce across the vast Province in 1712. This charter spanned from the Gulf to the Great Lakes and from the Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains. Crozat was obliged to send two shiploads of colonists annually and, after nine years, cover all colonial administration and army expenses, in return for nominating officers appointed by the King.
The Mississippi Company and Its Collapse
Crozat’s venture proved unsuccessful, leading him to voluntarily surrender his charter in 1717. Recognizing the commercial nature of colonization, a Council of State at Versailles decided to entrust Louisiana to a company. Thus, on September 16, 1717, the Parliament of Paris granted a charter to the Company of the Indies, often known as the Mississippi Company. This company received exclusive trading privileges with Louisiana for 25 years, along with the responsibility to administer the colony, appoint officers, and maintain an army. Its driving force was John Law, a shrewd Scottish financier based in Paris.
Louisiana was heavily promoted as a
