What did Robert La Salle want?
He quickly built a settlement, granted land to other settlers and initiated relations with the local natives. The Mohawks told him of a great river named the Ohio that flowed to the Mississippi and out to the sea. La Salle thus became obsessed with the idea of finding a river in North America that flowed to China.
What did La Salle want to do?
With Spain and France at war, La Salle planned to establish a colony sixty leagues up the river as a base for striking Mexico, afflicting Spanish shipping, and blocking English expansion, while providing a warmwater port for the Mississippi valley fur trade.
Why did La Salle want to explore?
He soon became obsessed with the idea of finding a way to the Orient through the rivers and lakes of the Western frontier. If experience modified the visions of the dreamer, it enhanced the knowledge and skill of the pathfinder and trader. Having sold his land, La Salle set out in 1669 to explore the Ohio region.
What are some fun facts about La Salle?
La Salle built a fort on Lake Ontario in 1673. He started a fur trade that made him a lot of money. Then he built a ship. La Salle sailed across Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan.
What was Robert La Salle early life like?
Robert de La Salle Facts: Early Life. La Salle was born on November 22, 1643 to a wealthy family in Rouen , France. He grew to like science and nature and spent much time studying them and later became involved with the Jesuit religion. He showed an interest in exploration and navigation. While he was exploring New France he left the Jesuit religion.
What was Robert De La Salle’s motive?
Motives When Robert de la Salle set sail, he was in search of the Mississippi River, hoping that that was a passage to Asia. He was also searching for riches. Robert did find the Mississippi River, but it wasn’t a passage to Asia.
Why did Robert La Salle explore?
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-1687) was a French explorer. He was sent by King Louis XIV (14) to travel south from Canada and sail down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico . He was the first European to travel the length of the Mississippi River (1682). His mission was to explore and establish fur-trade routes along the river.
What ships did Robert De La Salle use?
To carry his supplies, he would need a large ship to traverse the Atlantic Ocean and a smaller one to transport the supplies from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico . Louis XIV gave La Salle the use of two ships, Le Joly and La Belle.