French Exploration of the Great River

Vocabulary flashcards covering the exploration of the Mississippi River, La Salle's expedition, and colonial rivalry among France, Spain, and England.

Great River

A river described in Native stories as losing itself into the "great sea," which Canada's governor sent Marquette and Joliet to find.

Marquette and Joliet

Explorers sent by Canada's governor who reached de Soto's river in 1673, discovering that it flowed south rather than west to China.

La Salle

French explorer who reached the river's mouth in 1682, claimed the surrounding lands for France, and was later assassinated by his own crew in Texas.

Louis XIV

The "Sun King" of France, in whose honor La Salle claimed all surrounding lands and tributaries in 1682.

Louisiana

The territory claimed by La Salle in 1682 at the river's mouth and named in honor of King Louis XIV.

Texas

The location where La Salle landed after sailing too far west while returning with supplies.

Henri de Tonti

An associate who waited for La Salle, eventually gave up, and left a letter with a Native tribe.

Three Nations

France, Spain, and England, all of which competed for control of the river's mouth.

Pensacola

A settlement built by Spain as it claimed Florida and the Gulf Coast.