Robert La Salle
(also known as René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle)
Robert La Salle was another French explorer who strengthened France’s land claims in North America.
Prior to La Salle’s explorations, Samuel de Champlain had explored Canada and settled Quebec as a fur trading post. About 75 years later, La Salle moved to Canada and also became a prosperous fur trader.
Indians told La Salle about two rivers that flowed into the sea. La Salle hoped one of these rivers emptied into Pacific Ocean. If it did, this would mean he had found a western passage to Asia.
In 1682, with permission from King Louis XIV of France, La Salle began his journey down the Misssippi River. He and 40 other men traveled in canoes. After two months, they reached the Gulf of Mexico. La Salle had not reached the Pacific Ocean, but he had found a water route through North America! He also had found a large amount of undiscovered land.
La Salle claimed the entire Mississippi Valley for France. He named the region, Louisiana, in honor of King Louis XIV, the French king who sponsored his exploration. His many explorations strengthened France's hopes for a great empire in the New World.
Today, almost 340 years later, the state of Louisiana retains the name given to it by La Salle. Many descendants of the early French settlers still live in Louisiana! They are called Creoles and Cajuns, and many speak both English and French. Have you ever eaten gumbo or jambalaya? Those are popular Cajun and Creole dishes that are enjoyed throughout the United States.
Could you imagine this at Busch Gardens?? http://www.guidetosfot.com/features/rideretrospective/lasallesriver/
Prior to La Salle’s explorations, Samuel de Champlain had explored Canada and settled Quebec as a fur trading post. About 75 years later, La Salle moved to Canada and also became a prosperous fur trader.
Indians told La Salle about two rivers that flowed into the sea. La Salle hoped one of these rivers emptied into Pacific Ocean. If it did, this would mean he had found a western passage to Asia.
In 1682, with permission from King Louis XIV of France, La Salle began his journey down the Misssippi River. He and 40 other men traveled in canoes. After two months, they reached the Gulf of Mexico. La Salle had not reached the Pacific Ocean, but he had found a water route through North America! He also had found a large amount of undiscovered land.
La Salle claimed the entire Mississippi Valley for France. He named the region, Louisiana, in honor of King Louis XIV, the French king who sponsored his exploration. His many explorations strengthened France's hopes for a great empire in the New World.
Today, almost 340 years later, the state of Louisiana retains the name given to it by La Salle. Many descendants of the early French settlers still live in Louisiana! They are called Creoles and Cajuns, and many speak both English and French. Have you ever eaten gumbo or jambalaya? Those are popular Cajun and Creole dishes that are enjoyed throughout the United States.
Could you imagine this at Busch Gardens?? http://www.guidetosfot.com/features/rideretrospective/lasallesriver/
****Much of the above text taken word for word from EnchantedLearning.com, WorldBook online.com