Background
France was once one of the most powerful nations in Europe and the world. It was responsible for the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign, which spread French culture and influence far beyond the borders of Europe. In the 17th and 18th centuries, France had the ambition to colonize the New World and created a number of isolated French settlements in North America alongside those of the Spanish and British. Consequently, France had a strong presence in the Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf Coast.
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was the largest territorial expansion of the United States. In this accord, France ceded over 828,000 square miles of land to the United States – an area that stretched from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. This agreement doubled the size of the United States and gave the nation the Mississippi River as the western boundary of the Louisiana Territory. The Louisiana Territory extended three times farther west than the United States had previously claimed and included the future states of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, part of Colorado, and parts of Nebraska and Wyoming.
Conflict with Spain
In the following years, France asserted its presence in the Mississippi River Valley by creating trading outposts along the river. In order to expand its trade network, France clashed with Spanish-controlled settlements along the Mississippi River. At times, the Anglo-Americans and French cooperated to repel the encroaching Spanish forces. The conflict was eventually resolved by the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty which guaranteed Spanish access to the Mississippi and the transfer of New Orleans to the United States.
Westward Expansion
Thereafter, France was no longer a power in North America. The United States used the Louisiana Purchase to engage in westward expansion. States such as Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, parts of Colorado, and parts of Nebraska and Wyoming that had been under France’s control before the Purchase were now in the hands of the United States. French influence over the area had diminished, as the American population preferred the American way of living.
Legacy of France
Nevertheless, the long-term legacy of France in the Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf Coast remains evident today. French-Canadian immigrants settled beyond the Mississippi and intermarried with the local Native Americans. The culture of this region is still largely Francophone and many French customs can be seen. Louisiana, for example, is officially bilingual, with both English and French being spoken and the area has a distinct Creole culture that combines the influences of Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Significance of France
France’s involvement in the Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf Coast certainly heralded great changes to both North America and the rest of the world. The Louisiana Purchase established the western boundary of the United States and allowed the young nation to expand further west. France’s influence upon the West still continues to be seen in the language, culture, and cuisine of the area and has left its mark on the region’s history.
Economic Impact
The French presence along the Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf Coast led to increased trade and commerce in the area, which had numerous economic implications. The French trading posts encouraged a booming fur trade which allowed for economic growth and prosperity in the region and provided a valuable source of income for the young nation. Additionally, French investments in the local infrastructure led to improved roads, bridges, and canals, making the transportation and shipping of goods easier and more efficient.
Religious Influence
Moreover, France also spread its Catholic faith in North America, which had a lasting impact on the region. The Catholic Church was instrumental in establishing schools and occasional missions in the West that provided education and humanitarian aid to the native people. The French settlers and traders were also instrumental in introducing distilling techniques to the area, which later came to define the culture and cuisine of New Orleans.
French Political Presence
Despite their relatively small numbers, the French were highly influential in the political arena, being involved in the negotiations of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, which established the western border of the United States and secured Spain’s access to the Mississippi River. Additionally, French traders and ambassadors were also prominent in negotiating treaties with the native tribes, setting up trading posts and trading networks between the tribes.
French Declining Role in the West
France’s role in the West eventually diminished due to the spread of Anglo-American culture and the influx of English-speakers. French influence over the area had started to decline as the American population preferred the American way of living. This led to the gradual disappearance of the French influence in the region, with most remnants of the French presence being confined to the spoken language, food, and some cultural aspects.
Native Relationships
The Amerindians were eager to trade the resources of their lands for European goods and the French developed close relations with the native tribes. The French adopted their custom of long-distance trading, built forts to protect their political interests, and were involved in the negotiation of numerous treaties with the native people. The French also developed close ties with some of the most powerful tribes in the region such as the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Hurons.
Cultural Exchange
The French presence in the West left a lasting impact by introducing the region to the culture of Europe. While the French only made up a small portion of the population, the language and customs of France spread in the region. The French population intermarried with the local natives and blended their cultures, while their cuisine, music, and literature had a significant influence on the culture of the area.
Lasting Influence
France’s influence on the Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf Coast left an indelible mark on the area’s culture, economy and politics. The French trading posts and missions in the West helped open up the region to commerce and European culture. It was through France’s cultural and economic presence that the region was opened up to American settlers and enabled the spread of Anglo-American values. Today, remnants of the lasting French influence can still be seen in the region’s cultural and culinary traditions.
