France S Influence on Early Arkansas

France’s Influence on Early Arkansas

French explorers Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette descend the Mississippi to the mouth of the Arkansas River. Warned by the 1673 Quapaw (Arkansas) Indians of hostile tribes farther south they turn back. La Poste d’Akancas (Arkansas Post) is established by La Salle’s 1686 lieutenant, Italian mercenary soldier Henri de Tonti, as a trading post. French Catholic missionaries arrive in present-day Arkansas to 1700 convert local Natives to Christianity; most Natives continue their prior observances despite these efforts. Louisiana, including present-day Arkansas, becomes a royal colony of 1731 France. Cotton culture is introduced in the Mississippi valley by Pierre de 1740 Bienville, governor of Louisiana. Treaty of Fontainebleau (Paris) concludes the Seven Years’ War; as part of the treaty, France cedes most of its North American 1762 possessions to England; a separate, secret treaty gives parts of Louisiana west of the Mississippi to Spain. On October 1, French and Spanish diplomats sign the secret Treaty of 1800 San Ildefonso, which returns Louisiana to French control. American diplomats James Monroe and Robert Livingston negotiate to purchase New Orleans, to ensure continued American shipping 1803 rights. The French government offers them all of Louisiana, at a negotiated price of fifteen million dollars. By this purchase, present- day Arkansas becomes part of the United States.

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