Background
Two Frenchmen, Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette, are credited with the discovery of the Mississippi River in 1673. They were part of an expedition that was commissioned to explore the lands of the New World, and to gain knowledge of Native American tribes and the area they resided in. As part of the expedition, Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette were assigned to chart the Mississippi River, which was largely unknown at the time. The two men set off from St. Ignace, a town in Michigan, in 1673 with five voyageurs, and paddled their way down the Mississippi.
Journey
Though the going at first was slow, once they reached the Illinois River, they were able to find a canoe-building community and build a stronger vessel. With this stronger vessel, they were able to travel faster and further. Throughout their four-month-long journey, the two men encountered many Native American tribes, trading both goods and ideas with them. They were even able to learn the locations of other rivers such as the Ohio, offering valuable geographical knowledge to the French, who were eager to expand their North American colonies.
Settlement
Eventually, Joliet and Marquette reached the mouth of the Mississippi in 1674 and explored the surrounding area, considering it an attractive candidate for further colonization and fur trading. They soon made their way back home to report their discovery of the river and its potential to the French leaders in Canada. However, as they were unaware that the mouth of the Mississippi was located within Spanish territory, they hoped their new discovery would help strengthen French presence in the area.
Impact
The exploration of the Mississippi River by Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette had a lasting impact on both the French nation and the centuries of history that followed. Through their journey, they explored vast lands, discovering important new rivers, as well as native tribes and their vibrant cultures. This exploration helped to further the French colonial ambitions, contributing to a geographical and cultural knowledge that continues to shape our understanding of the continent today.
Wealth and Power
The French used their newfound knowledge of the Mississippi to set up strategic outposts in the area to trade with the native tribes and to control the lucrative fur trade. Having access to both the fur trade and the rivers gave the French an advantage over the other European powers, as well as made them greatly wealthy. This newfound wealth empowered the French to expand their colonies, as well as make them a formidable presence in the New World for centuries to come.
Legacy
Today, the legacy of Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette is remembered in the names of numerous cities and towns along the Mississippi River, as well as by the statues and monuments erected in their honour. Additionally, the French educational system celebrates their accomplishments, regularly referring to their journey as a source of inspiration and a point of pride. Finally, themselves, the two men have come to represent the spirit of exploration, resilience, and courage that continues to live on in our society today.
Criticism
Despite the laudable contributions of Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette to French exploration and culture, some scholars have expressed concern over their actions and the consequences of their journey. These scholars often point out that their journey ultimately led to the colonisation of the Native American tribes living in the area, which ultimately resulted in the displacement and dispossession of these people from their homelands. This concern is voiced even today by those wishing to highlight and remember their suffering, as well as commemorate their resilience in the face of adversity.
Exploitation
Furthermore, others point to the two men’s exploitation of the Native American tribes for financial gain. During their exploration, the two men are reported to have traded with the tribe for supplies and goods, without giving any thought to the economic disadvantage in which the local tribes found themselves. This has been seen as a sign of the exploitative attitude of early European colonisers towards the native peoples of the continent, a legacy of which many countries still feel the weight today.
Cultural Impact
In addition, many have pointed out the cultural influence that Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette had on the Native American tribes which they encountered during their exploration. Their offer of trade goods and goods of European origin inspired the development of new cultural practices, such as the use of horses in warfare and transportation, as well as a change in diet from that of local plants and animals to the availability of European goods. These cultural changes had a lasting impact on the native cultures and were passed down to the following generations.
Conclusion
Though the legacy of Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette has been met with both appreciation and criticism, there is no denying the impact their journey has had on the course of European exploration and the origins of North American culture. The two men’s explorations established a permanent foothold for European colonialism and laid the foundation for some of the most powerful empires and nations on the continent. The journey of these two Frenchmen, and their accomplishments, has laid an enduring and unwavering legacy that serves to this day as a testament of their courage and determination.
