Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle led an expedition in 1684 to establish a French colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. However, they missed the river's mouth and settled instead at Matagorda Bay, building a settlement called Fort Saint Louis. Disease and attacks from local Native Americans caused many deaths among the colonists. La Salle attempted to get help but was killed by his own men. The few remaining colonists were later killed in an Indian attack, ending France's colony in the region. This challenged Spain's dominance as the sole European power in North America.

1. Chapter 6: The Spanish Missions Section 2: The French Challenge

2. La Salle’s Expedition Spain no longer the only European power in North America French & British had a presence

3. La Salle’s Expedition 1682: Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle expanded the French Empire

4. La Salle’s Expedition Claimed all land drained by the Mississippi River for France

5. La Salle’s Expedition La Salle returns to France Asks for permission to establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River

6. La Salle’s Expedition King Louis of France supported the La Salle expedition Plan to build a settlement had to be kept a secret from the Spanish who would be angered at a French site so near Texas

7. La Salle’s Expedition Summer 1684: La Salle leaves France with four ships and 300 solders and settlers Troubles along the way February 1685: missed the mouth of the Mississippi and lands at Matagorda Bay

8. Fort St. Louis Fort St. Louis —settlement built by members of the La Salle Expedition Settlement consisted of several simple houses and a five room fort; eight cannons placed around walls for protection

9. Cannons excavated at site of Fort St. Louis

10. Fort St. Louis La Salle leads and expedition westward towards the Rio Grande Gone from October 1685 to March 1686 Colony falls into crisis

11. Fort St. Louis Hunger and disease kill colonists Attacks by Karankawa Indians July 1685: Over ½ of the colonists are dead

12. Fort St. Louis La Salle returns to find desperate conditions La Salle leads 17 men toward Canada for help

13. Fort St. Louis Headed east towards the Mississippi River Journey through wilderness was difficult

14. Fort St. Louis La Salle killed by his own men 6 men make it to Canada

15. Fort St. Louis Fewer than 30 people left at Fort St. Louis Late 1688/Early 1689: Karankawa Indians attack and destroy the fort All adults were killed; five children were taken captive

16. Fort St. Louis France’s claim to Louisiana was made possible by La Salle’s exploration of the Mississippi

17. The Spanish Search for La Salle Spanish send expeditions to search for Fort St. Louis Will find colony abandoned Encounter Hasinai Indians

18. Fort St. Louis Tejas —name the Spanish used for the Hasinai Indians Hasinai word for friend

19. Spanish Missions in Texas Spain worries French might gain control if there is no Spanish settlement San Francisco de los Tejas —mission built by the Spanish in East Texas that ended in failure

20. Spanish Missions in Texas Domingo Teran de los Rios —first Spanish governor of Texas Disputes Droughts/Floods Indians uncooperative