Jolliet’s discoveries
Louis Jolliet initiated one of the grandest and most important discoveries of North America by finding the Mississippi River. He mapped out the entire length of the entire Mississippi River, covering more than 2,500 miles. He was the first to show the great river crossing through five US states, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. According to the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, Jolliet made a major breakthrough because the exploration of this large waterway opened up a huge artery of trade for North America.
Not only did Jolliet discover the river, but he also changed the way people travelled, fished, and navigated the Mississippi. Jolliet described the river as ‘virtually alive,’ and his determination to uncover its secrets allowed him to connect the eastern and western ends of the continent. He employed innovative navigational methods that were previously unheard of and revolutionized the way North Americans would approach the river, forever.
New innovation and technology
Jolliet was also the first to use maps, including celestial navigation, to navigate the Mississippi. His new and improved navigational methods allowed him to successfully travel the length of the river in a very short time. Moreover, he was known to be a great mathematician and scientist, who used the technology available to him to refine the information that he collected.
Economic development
His findings laid the groundwork for trade expansion on the Mississippi, which ultimately served to stimulate the economy. His extensive research of the river sparked a new sense of curiosity, sparking other explorers to begin to explore the river, its environment, and the cultures of the peoples surrounding it. This discovery inspired further development of the Mississippi region as a whole, with its rivers, tributaries, and bayous, for commercial use.
Lifestyle changes
Jolliet’s legacy also changed the lifestyle of those near the Mississippi. He had a strong influence on how settlers adopted to the new region. Many factors, including the abundance of fish, the fertility of the land surrounding the river, and the mild climate, allowed for large-scale settlement of the area.
Legacy
Louis Jolliet left a permanent mark on both America and the Mississippi. His keen eye, bold leadership, and dedication towards navigating the river laid the foundation for future generations to expand, settle, and develop the area. His selfless action immortalized him in the history of North America and the United States, giving him the recognition of being one of the greatest explorers of what was then considered uncharted territory.
Influence on modern river
Though the name has changed, the current River Mississippi is still today known as the ‘living river’, with its giant banks of silt resulting in a significant ingress and egress of the riverside land. Jolliet’s discovery of the river helped to define its layout and ensure it would continue to have a significant portion of the land to be used for economic and agricultural activities, helping to shape cities, states and generations of descendants.
Influence on other explorers
Jolliet inspired generations of other explorers to follow his lead and explore the Mississippi, as well as its surrounding lands. To this day, explorers, adventurers and academics are highly influenced by the success and effectiveness of Jolliet’s navigation. The exploration of the Mississippi by those who followed in Jolliet’s footsteps has been used to help build the transport industry, improve navigation and increase the opportunities for tourists and adventurers alike.
Environmental impact
His legacy also changed the environmental landscape of the river. His experience of the river and its surroundings was pivotal in the growth of the region’s agriculture. Jolliet’s navigation and utilization of the resources of the river led to the development of what is now known as the Mississippi Delta, an area of land prone to flooding, which accounts for much of the region’s agricultural production.
Legal implications
The voyage of Jolliet had large implications in terms of legal ownership of land. The voyages of Jolliet and his team helped define the boundaries of the United States and secure the rights of the original inhabitants of the area. In addition, they set precedent for future land disputes and granted rights to new settlers, ultimately helping secure the United States of America as we know it today.
