Louisiana and New Orleans
Early History: Before Europeans arrived, Native American
tribes like the Mississippian culture lived in the area.
French Colonization: In 1718, the French founded New
Orleans. They built the city as a trading post and port. New
Orleans was named after the Duke of Orleans. France
controlled a large area in North America called Louisiana,
which included land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky
Mountains.
Spanish Rule: In 1763, Spain took control of Louisiana, including
New Orleans. They ruled for about 40 years.
Louisiana Purchase: In 1803, the United States bought Louisiana
from France in a deal called the Louisiana Purchase, and divided
it into many different territories (remodeled over the years).
Need for Money: France, led by
Napoleon Bonaparte, needed money to
fund wars in Europe. The United States
bought the Louisiana Territory from
France for $15 million.
Size: The deal included about 828,000
square miles (= more than 2 million
km2) of land, doubling the size of the
United States.
Statehood: Louisiana became the 18th
U.S. state in 1812 (with its current size,
much smaller than in 1803).
Cajun Culture
Cajun culture originated from the Acadians, French-speaking settlers
who were expelled from Acadia (now parts of Canada) by the British in
the mid-1700s They settled in southern Louisiana, where they adapted
to the new environment and mixed with other cultures, including
Spanish, African, and Native American. Cajuns are known for their
unique French dialect, vibrant music (especially zydeco and Cajun
music), delicious cuisine (like gumbo and jambalaya), and rich traditions.
Spanish architecture in the French Quarter
“Crawfish Etouffee”
Enslaved People:
Many enslaved Africans were brought to Louisiana to work on
plantations, especially in the 1800s. Slavery was officially
abolished in Louisiana in 1864, by the end of the American Civil
War won by the Union (the Northern states) led by President
Abraham Lincoln. The Union was against slavery.
Immigration:
In the late 19th
and early 20th centuries, immigrants from Europe (especially France
because of the language) and other parts of the world came to
Louisiana, contributing to its diverse culture.
A trip with the boat across the Atlantic lasted about 5 to 8 weeks
around 1800, about 2 to 3 weeks around 1850 and about 1 week in
the early 1900s. Many settler were given a land for free or for very
little money.
Jazz music
Louis Armstrong, often called "Satchmo" was a famous American jazz musician born on
August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is considered one of the greatest jazz
trumpeters and singers of all time.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast
(especially the states of Louisiana and
Mississipi) of the United States on August
29, 2005. The storm caused severe
flooding, especially in New Orleans, where
the levees (flood barriers) of the Mississipi
river were not resistant enough. Most of
the city is under sea water level.
Homes, buildings, and infrastructure were heavily damaged or
destroyed and about 1,800 people died. Many people had to
leave their homes and stay in shelters. Emergency services and
volunteers from all over the world came to help.
The city has been rebuilt since then and the levees made
stronger. But people still fear another strong hurricane every
year in August / September.
Oak Alley Plantation
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