Chapter Headings

The Beginning:

The Europeans were anxious to find a faster and easier way to trade fruit, spices, cinnamon, pepper, oranges, and figs with the people in the Orient. They hoped to sail around Africa and on to the Orient. Vasco Da Gama sailed south from Portugal around Africa and on to India. Portugal wanted to get everything they could get in their hands, except maybe furs. They left those to the French. The Portugesse were the first Europeans to explore the unknown world, and they were the first to sail around to the southern tip of Africa.

Section 1: Christopher Columbus Sails to America

Christopher Columbus owned three ships. Their names were the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Genoa, Italy was where Columbus was born. Many years Columbus waited. In 1492 the war was over. On August 3 the three little ships sailed. Columbus asked King Henry of Portugal for ships and sailors to discover the way to China and Japan. King Henry said no. Then Columbus went to Spain. He asked Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand. Spain. Wait until the war is over queen Isabel said yes. The city of Palos gave Columbus three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The city of Palos gave Columbus three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Queen Isabella gave Columbus money and ninety sailors. The three little ships sailed from Palos on August 3. First they stopped at the Canary Islands for more food and water. They left the Canaries on September 6. The trip was not hard and the weather was not bad. He promised all the sailors they would become rich. At first the sailors were happy and excited. But day after day they did not see land. Then the sailors became afraid. After four weeks the sailors wanted to go back. They thought they would die if they didn't turn around. Columbus said, "If we don't find land in three days, we will go back." He offered a prize to the first man to see land. Two times someone shouted, "Land!" but it was a mistake. At last, they saw some birds. They followed the birds. On the thirty-fifth day, two hours after midnight, a sailor on the Pinta shouted, "Land!" He could see land by the light of the moon. On the morning of October 12, all the men went ashore. They were happy and exited to on land. The people of the land came to see the sailors and the large ships. They were amazed and curios at the sailors strange clothes. They were also amazed at their beards on their faces. The Arawaks thought the ships and the men had sailed down from the sky. They brought the sailors presents, food, and parrots. Columbus and his men gave presents to the Arawaks, too. He tried to ask them if this island was part of Japan. "They could only use sign language. Columbus thought that he was in the Indies. He called the people Indians. Columbus named the island San Salvador. He claimed San Salvador for the King and Queen of Spain. He did not ask the Arawaks if they would like to belong to Spain. Columbus and his men gave presents to the Arawaks, too. He tried to ask them if this island was part of Japan. "They could only use sign language. Columbus thought that he was in the Indies. He called the people Indians. Columbus named the island San Salvador. He claimed San Salvador for the King and Queen of Spain. He did not ask the Arawaks if they would like to belong to Spain. Columbus sailed to other islands. He left forty sailors on the island of Hispaniola. He returned home to Spain with just two ships. He took home many things to show Queen Isabella. He brought parrots, pearls, gold, and six "Indians."

Section 2: Spanish Explorers in America

The Spanish knew they had discovered a new land. A mapmaker named the land America. He named it for Amerigo Vespucci, who was early to be an explorer. Spain sent many explorers to America in search of riches. The Spaniards revealed silver and gold in Mexico and in some different parts of South America. Spanish explorers went to many different places in the Americas searching for more silver and gold. Some of the Spaniards traveled very far into North America, but found no metals there. As far as we know, none of the Spanish explorers ever got to Missouri. Hernando de Soto came the closest. In 1541 he discovered the Mississippi River near Memphis. When the Spanish did not find gold and silver they were searching for in the middle of North America, they gave up. The Spanish didn’t come to Missouri until years later. But Spain did establish settlements in Mexico and also in South America. The valuable metals from those other places made Spain a rich and very powerful nation.

Section 3: French Explorers, Traders, and Missionaries

The French were nicknamed “black robes”, if they were priests. The French were traders. They traded furs like mink, beaver and otter. The furs cost a lot of money. Catholic Missionaries mostly traveled along with the French traders. The priests taught Christian religion to the Indians. Some French explorers were Father Marquette, Jolliet, and La Salle. Jolliet and Marquette had many adventures. When French explorers didn’t find any silver or gold, they went to Canada. They did find other valuable items, like fancy furs. That is what we know about French explorers.

Section 4: The Discovery of the Land of Missouri

Marquette , Jolliet , and La Salle discovered Missouri. Marquette was a missionary and Jolliet was a trader. They were both the first Europeans to explore Missouri. Marquette and Jolliet traveled around the Great Lakes and visited the Missouri Indian tribe. They traveled in birchbark canoes in 1673. On Marquette’s journey he wrote about the buffalo. Marquette and Jolliet traveled from the Gulf of Mexico to St. Louis. Marquette and Jolliet passed the mouth of the Missouri river in 1683.The Indians warned Marquette and Jolliet that the Indian fathers down the river were not very nice. La Salle claimed the Mississippi river for the French King XVI. La Salle named Louisiana after King Louis.

Section 5: New Settlers Come to Missouri

The French went along with the early explorers to Missouri. They wanted to trade for furs, and others looked for metals. They did not find the gold or silver in Missouri, although they did find rich deposits of lead. The French began in the eastern Ozarks. They found salt springs where Ste.Genevieve is to this very day. They boiled the salt in huge iron kettles. Kettles are large pots used to boil liquids. Salt was very important. They used it to season food and they also used salt to preserve the meat that they hunted. They even used it for tanning their animal skins. The first saltmakers did not live in Missouri, they only worked there for part of a year. They really did live in Illinois.

Section 6: Early French Settlements in Missouri

Early French settlements in Missouri

The Indians decided to move back to Illinois. The French also found springs of salt. The French also built a village. They made salt by boiling salty water in a large iron of kettle. French started missionaries this settlement. The French lost money. The traded supplies and goods that had to be hauled for hundreds of miles. The French gave the Indians axes, knives, and iron kettles. It’s called Fort Orleans. The settlement disappeared. Today would be in the southern part of St. Louis.

Section 7: Missouri's Oldest City

Another French place in Missouri named Ste.Genevieve. Ste.Genevieve is at Mississippi River. First people made it to Ste. Genevieve about 1750. They are mostly farmer also African people were slaves. They all built their homes by the riverbank. When it Mississippi flooded a lot of houses got filled with water. People black, white mixes came to live new settlement. French people raised corn, wheat, oats, barley, cotton, tobacco, and vegetables. Some of the houses are standing today. The French moved to Ste. Genevieve from settlements though river in Illinois. There several oldest homes west Mississippi River and you can see some in the museums that’s open. Missouri’s famous farmland is inviting. Some French people built homes that are very nice. The people called Ste.Genevieve” Misere “. Is a French word for misery. The people left their settlements at the River Des Peres and Fort Orleans only for a little of years. Ste. Geneveieve are still a happy and active community today.

Section 8: The Founding of St. Louis

Pierre Laclede was a French salesman, in New Orleans. He wanted to trade with the Indians living along the Mississippi, and Missouri rivers. He and his business partner decided to set up a trading post, and a settlement near the mouth of the Missouri. Laclede chose a place on the Mississippi for a new settlement.

In 1764 he sent his clerk, Auguste Chouteau, to clear the land and build the very first buildings. Laclede sent 30 men to do the work. Chouteau was only 14 years old but Laclede sent him to be in charge of the workers. Laclede named this town St. Louis. In a short time St. Louis became a fur trading town.

Section 9: Auguste Chouteau

Auguste Chouteau was a clerk. He was sent to clear the land and build the first buildings. Auguste Chouteau’s large home in St. Louis.

Born 1786

Birthplace St. Louis MO.

Died 1838

Auguste Chouteau and his brother became rich by sailing skins.

In 1763 Auguste Chouteau was scouting for an ideal Indian fur traders.

Auguste was a 13-year-old stepson to Laclede.

Section 10: Father Marquette

Marquette was born on June 10, 1637. He died on 1675. He studied and taught in France. Father Marquette had a son. His name was Louis Jolliet. Father Marquette was a missionary. A missionary traveled with French traders. His son was a trader. A trader is someone who trades gold and other riches. He canoed down the Mississippi River. In 1671 he lived with the Huron and Ottawa Indians. These Indians talked a lot about the Great River called the Mississippi, which in their language meant big river. At the time little was known as geography of North America, so Marquette thought it might flow into the Pacific Ocean, which later became the same idea of La Salle. As they canoed down the river they saw giant catfish. They also saw many interesting sights. Marquette wrote in his journal about the buffalo. The Missouri Indians warned Marquette and Jolliet that the father of the Mississippi is unfriendly. On July 17,1673 they headed home. On May 18,1675 Marquette died.