Chapter 6 Lesson 3 A Royal Colony Again

Chapter 6 Lesson 3 A Royal Colony Again ESSENTIAL QUESTION: – What problems were faced by the various groups that attempted to colonize French Louisiana?

Bienville Returns: Challenges facing Bienville upon return as governor: 1. Calm the settlers / restore ties with Indians 2. Shortage of livestock & good tools 3. Inadequate supply of money Few ships available to transport goods 4. Food rationing in colony & reliance on barter and warehouse credit

War with the Chickasaw • Conflicts between tribes used often to advantage of French and British French goods generally preferred by Choctaw – British (trading partners & allies with Chickasaw) – Chickasaw (enemies of French & Choctaw) • French fearful of peaceful relations between Chickasaw and Choctaw • France’s colony threatened by possible trading partnership between Choctaw and British • Eventual war lasting for several years between Chickasaw and French – Several defeats suffered by Bienville –

1742: Retirement of Bienville as governor of colony Bienville retired as governor of Louisiana because: 1. He felt the Chickasaw War was a failure 2. He was discouraged 3. He lost the war, friends, and his confidence.

A Different Kind of Governor • 1742: New governor (Pierre Francois de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil) – Halted Indian raids on settlements – Worked out peace agreement with Chickasaw – Used kindness and dignity to calm internal conflicts in colony • Improved living conditions & prosperity for colony • Formal ceremonies & parties established • Governor credited with 1 st Louisiana Mardi Gras ball

The Last French Years • 1752: Vaudreuil designated as governor of Canada • Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlerec appointed governor of colony Tensions between French and British increasing Stage set for French and Indian war Caught in middle of squabbles with commissary commissioner • 1762: Colony given to Spain (Secret Treaty of Fountainbleu)

Governor Louis Bilouart, Chevalier de Kerlerec • Strong Military Reputation • Tensions between the British and French before the French and Indian War • He was in constant arguments with the Commissary Commissioner and found the arguing petty and annoying. • He asked for permission to leave, but remained until 1762.

The People • Early explorers and promoters (hardy French Canadians) • Free spirited woodsmen (coureur de bois “woods runner” in Frenc h Preferred independent lifestyle to settling in colony • Early French colonists – Lacked survival skills for harsh environment – Many interested in search for gold & silver • German farmers (hardy, saved colony)

The People • African slaves (hard labor, created economic growth in colony) • Soldiers (considered as rejects of army) • Women – Scarce in the colony – Absence, causing instability in colony – 1728: Arrival of “casket girls” – Some women of bad reputation sent from the streets of Paris

Life in the Colony • Began as a struggle in French colonial Louisiana in the wilderness • Challenging environment • Adaptation of people to suit location • Daily hardships faced by colonists • Elements of culture added to improve their lives

Religion • Roman Catholic: official religion of France and the Louisiana colony • Church supported by the government • Nuns & priests provided for the colony • Few of the early priests lived among the • Indians as missionaries • Schools established by nuns & priests • Early days: Mardi Gras & other church holidays celebrated

Lifestyles • Early population of Louisiana between 6, 000 & 7, 000 when colony given up by France • Gambling & card playing main entertainment • Few elegant homes, majority of logs or bricks • Ignorant about diseases / health awareness • Jean Louis: money left in will (provisions for a charity hospital in New Orleans) • Clothing: made mostly from imported cloth – elegant clothing (from France) worn by wealthy

Success or Failure • Factors contributing to success or failure of French colony of Louisiana – Colony under regulations of France – Colony affected by hurricanes, mosquitoes, heat, & humidity – The first colonists – a poor choice? – Leaders of the colony • Those seeking to benefit colony • Those seeking profits for themselves – Trade restrictions – Inadequate funding & supplies • No policy makers (King Louis XIV, Crozat, or Law ever went to see the vast land called Louisiana