Mississippi Explorers

Hernando De Soto

Hernando De Soto

SpanishCame to North America in search

of gold and silverBrought 600 soldiers with him and

introduced hogs and horses to North America.

…….Hernando De Soto

Received supplies and guides by holding Native American chiefs hostage.

He never discovered gold or silver but is credited with discovering the Mississippi River.

Brought many diseases that killed mass amounts of Native Americans.

Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette

Jolliet and Marquette

FrenchInitially looking for a water route to

the Pacific Ocean.Sailed down the Mississippi River,

discovered that it flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, and turned around.

Robert de La Salle and Henri de Tonti

LaSalle and Tonti

FrenchSailed down the Mississippi River

and claimed the region for FranceVisited the Natchez Indians in

Vicksburg and sailed on to the Gulf of Mexico.

Iberville( Pierre le Moyne)

Iberville

FrenchBuilt Fort Maurepas on the

present site of Ocean Springs. This was the first permanent European settlement in Mississippi.

Bienville(Jean-Baptiste le Moyne)

Bienville

FrenchEstablished New Orleans in

1718.Built Fort Rosalie at the present

site of Natchez.

Relationship Between Europeans and Native Americans

…..Native Americans and Europeans

The French and Indian War was fought between France and Great Britain to see who would gain control of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

…..Native American and Europeans

The Choctaw sided with the French and the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Creek sided with the English. (British)

…..Native Americans and Europeans

The French lost the war and the Treaty of 1763 forced France to give up all of its territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans, to Great Britain.

…..Native Americans and Europeans

The Natchez District remained under Spanish rule, and it flourished with its population tripling within 3 years.

Statehood

As the population increased, so did the demand for statehood.

The governor of the Mississippi territory was Winthrop Sargent.

Statehood

The Mississippi territory was divided into two states: Mississippi and Alabama

Statehood

Mississippi became the 20th state on December 10, 1817.

Statehood

* David Holmes became the first governor of the state of Mississippi.