Why did the French want to explore the Mississippi River?

Why did the French want to explore the Mississippi River?

Besides expanding the fur trade, the French wanted to find a river passage across North America (for a trade route to Asia), explore and secure territory, and establish Christian missions to convert Native peoples.

Why was the exploration of the Mississippi so important to France?

Despite setbacks, the La Salle expeditions provided the French government with information about the geography and native population of the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast that would prove essential to the future settlement of lower Louisiana in 1699.

Why did France want a colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River?

In order to sustain what tenuous hold La Salle and France had on the lower Mississippi Valley, a fort and colony needed to be established at the river’s mouth to guard against English or Spanish intrusion. Its fate was bound to the French economy during the last years of the reign of Louis XIV.

What did France want to use the Mississippi Valley for?

This she desired to do, as a bar to the advance of England; as a means of supplying the West Indies; as a lever by which to compel the United States to serve the interests of France; and as a means of promoting French ascendancy over Spanish America.

Why did the French come to Mississippi?

French colonists who migrated after they lost control over New France founded outposts such as the important settlement of St. Louis (1764). This became a French fur-trading center, connected to trading posts on the Missouri and Upper Mississippi rivers, leading to later French settlement in that area.

Why did the French explore the New World?

The French began their exploration of the New World by looking for new fishing waters and the Northwest Passage. At first, they only founded temporary trading posts, but as profits increased and more French people found their way to the New World, permanent settlements were established, such as New Orleans.

What reason did France Explore Texas?

Spain learned of La Salle’s mission in 1686. Concerned that the French colony could threaten Spain’s control over the Viceroyalty of New Spain and the unsettled southeastern region of North America, the Crown funded multiple expeditions to locate and eliminate the settlement.

Why did France want Louisiana back?

It is believed that the failure of France to put down a slave revolution in Haiti, the impending war with Great Britain and probable Royal Navy blockade of France, and financial difficulties may all have prompted Napoleon to offer Louisiana for sale to the United States.

What was one reason why the New Netherland colony was founded?

Colonists arrived in New Netherland from all over Europe. Many fled religious persecution, war, or natural disaster. Others were lured by the promise of fertile farmland, vast forests, and a lucrative trade in fur.

What did the French call the Mississippi river?

The Mississippi, otherwise called by the French, the Saint Louis River, river in North America, the most considerable part in Louisiana, which is crosses from one side to the other up until its outlet into the sea.