{"id":12956,"date":"2023-10-20T16:40:09","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=12956"},"modified":"2023-10-20T16:40:09","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:40:09","slug":"who-controlled-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/who-controlled-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Controlled The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic rivers in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the country and has historically played an important role in the development of the United States. Its role has been both commercial and political, acting as a cornerstone in American history and culture. Despite its importance, very few people know who controlled the Mississippi River and how it impacted both the United States and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

History<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River has been important to Americans since the arrival of Europeans in the 15th century. Initially, the Native Americans inhabited what is now the United States and they used the river for transportation and trading purposes. Throughout the next few centuries, the river was explored and eventually mapped out. Europeans began to use the river for their own trading purposes. In the late 18th century, the United States claimed the entire Mississippi River basin, which included land in what are now Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana.<\/p>\n

French Control<\/h2>\n

Until 1803, the Mississippi River was largely controlled by the French. During this period of time, the French were heavily involved in the trade of goods between the Caribbean and North America. The French wanted to be sure that they could freely make use of the Mississippi River, so they sent military forces to protect it from Spanish, English and Native Americans. The French also charged what they called “river dues” to any ship that wanted to pass through the river. The paying of the river dues was mandatory and was considered a form of taxation.<\/p>\n

Spanish Control<\/h2>\n

In 1803, the French turned the Mississippi River over to Spanish control as a part of the Louisiana Purchase. Though the Louisiana Purchase was officially an American purchase, the agreement included a clause that allowed Spanish vessels to use the Mississippi River without paying the river dues that the French had imposed. This was an important part of the agreement, as the Spanish were heavily involved in trade in the south and wanted to make sure that the Mississippi River would remain an open route for them.<\/p>\n

American Control<\/h2>\n