FOOTPRINTS OF THE FRENCH

North America 1750

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_France

When I was in grade school many many ... many years ago, we studied the French and Indian War (1754-63) when Great Britain and France battled it out over their lands in North America.

The teacher explained how one British surprise attack on Quebec City, launched from the Plains of Abraham, won Great Britain all the French lands claimed in North America.  Then one bored and particularly impudent student quipped, "So what?"

The teacher walked down the row of desks and stopped in front of him. "Well...If the British had not conquered Quebec City that day," she said, pointing a finger at the boy, "You, would be speaking French right now." 

This Fourth of July we will think about the thirteen British colonies from our American history lessons, but French footprints are all over American history too.

Founded by the French in 1701, I thought the City of Detroit was old, but the City of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan's upper peninsula was founded in 1668. Both were brought to us by the same French who founded Montreal (1642) and Quebec City (1608) in Canada. By 1682 they had  explored and claimed the Mississippi River Valley for France. Then went on to found the City of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1718 and St. Louis, Missouri in 1763.

Stretching from the North Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, all of this land was called New France, the French cousin of Britain's thirteen colonies.

Vivian

PS: Please, feel free to leave comments or questions. I'd love to know what you think.