Background Information
The Mississippi River is one of the world’s most important rivers, stretching over nearly 2,000 miles of North America and draining some of the largest and most productive agricultural lands in the US and Canada. Hernando de Soto, an influential Spanish explorer, was the first European to explore the mighty river in 1541. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Mississippi had been named by indigenous people living in the region. So, what did Hernando de Soto originally call the Mississippi River?
Indigenous Names for the River
Before de Soto’s first expedition, the Mississippi River was well-known to the Native Americans who had settled along its banks centuries earlier. Evidence suggests that many different peoples had different names for the river, such as Inukshuk in Cree and Waccamaw in Choctaw. The Ojibwe nation believed that the river was the source of life, knowledge, wisdom and power, and named it Michi-ziibi or “Great River”.
What Did Hernando de Soto Call It?
When European explorers first arrived in the area, they adopted various names for the river, including Padouca and Rio de Pani. Hernando de Soto was likely the first to call the river by its current name, Mississippi. The word originally came from the Native American Ojibwe nation, and was derived from the Algonquian verb “messepe”, which means “big river”.
Hernando de Soto’s Exploration of the Mississippi
Hernando de Soto was appointed by the Spanish crown to explore and catalogue the lands of the New World. He set out from Havana, Cuba, in 1539 with 620 men and crossed the Florida Keys into what is now known as modern-day Texas. After exploring Texas, he and his men headed east, eventually reaching the Mississippi River.
De Soto’s Expeditions in the Mississippi Valley
De Soto is famously known for his 4-year mission of exploration in the Missisippi Valley. On his journey, he encountered Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez people. During his time in the Mississippi Valley, de Soto and his men often encountered opposition from the Native Americans. This ultimately led to violence against the natives.
The Impact of Hernando de Soto’s Journey
Though de Soto’s journey had a direct impact on the Indigenous peoples he encountered, his exploration and naming of the Mississippi River had an indirect, long-term effect. By naming the river Mississippi and mapping out the surrounding area, he created a navigable route from the Gulf of Mexico to the Illinois River, making it easier for settlers to transport goods and explore the region.
Captain Robert de La Salle’s Exploration of the Mississippi River
After de Soto’s death in 1543, the Spanish largely abandoned their exploration of the area. However, it wasn’t long before another explorer, Captain Robert de La Salle, took up the same mission. In 1682, de La Salle sailed down the Mississippi River, and was the first to travel it’s length. His exploration would help map out the Louisiana Territory, and eventually lead to the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.
The Colonization of the Mississippi Valley
De La Salle’s exploration of the Mississippi paved the way for the colonization of the area by various European powers. The French established a large settlement in New Orleans in 1718, and the region later became part of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Since then, the Mississippi Valley has grown to become one of the most important economic and cultural regions in North America, thanks in large part to de Soto’s initial exploration of the river and his naming of it Mississippi.
De Soto’s Impact on Native Americans
Hernando de Soto’s exploration of the Mississippi Valley had a drastic effect on Native Americans living in the region. Not only did it bring about the colonization of the region, but it also brought disease and violence to the native people. De Soto’s expedition was heavily dependent on Native Americans to guide them through the region, but he often treated them poorly. Many of the tribes were also forced to resettle due to the increased number of settlers in the area.
The Legacy of de Soto
Hernando de Soto’s exploration of the Mississippi River not only helped map out a region that would become the United States of America, but it also had a lasting impact on Native Americans living in the area. Despite his negative legacy, de Soto will always be remembered for his daring mission of exploration and his naming of the Mississippi River.
De Soto’s Impact on the Environment
The exploration of the Mississippi River, and the subsequent colonization of the region, had a drastic effect on the environment. Large areas of the river were drastically modified to enable navigation, while the introduction of new crops and farming techniques led to the destruction of natural habitats. As more settlers moved into the region, the deforestation of the area increased, causing even more damage to the environment.
Contemporary Explorers
Though the original exploration of the Mississippi River has long since ended, there are many modern-day explorers who continue to try and discover the secrets of the river. These adventurers often rely on river craft, such as kayaks and canoes, to traverse difficult sections of the river or explore uncharted areas. The modern-day exploration of the Mississippi provides an exciting adventure for those brave enough to take on the challenge.
The Value of the Mississippi Today
The Mississippi River has come to provide irreplaceable values to the United States, from providing a vital shipping route for goods to enabling the production of food and power through hydropower. Together with its many tributaries, the Mississippi River is the lifeblood of the region, sustaining a wide variety of wildlife and providing recreation opportunities for millions of people.
