1. CH. 5 Sec. 1 Notes
The First European Explorers in Arkansas
Hernando de Soto (Spanish) 1539
1. What were the goals of his expedition?
Gain riches (gold)
2. How did they deal with the Indians?
Ruthlessly. Fought with tribes and killed at least 4000 in battle. They took
captives for laborers.
3. Explain the issues they had crossing the Mississippi River into Arkansas and where
they landed.
As they were working on building rafts to cross the river a fleet of 200 Indians
showered them with arrows. They landed somewhere north of modern-day
Helena, Arkansas and south of modern day Memphis, Tennessee on June 28 1541
4. Summarize the story of Casqui
De Soto and his men arrived at the home of Casqui (Indian chief). Casqui asked
Him if his god could make it rain. De Soto built a cross and performed a religious
service. A few days later it rained and made it seem like a powerful chief and
godlike.
5. When and how did De Soto die?
May 21,1542 he died from a fever.
6. Why was his expedition considered a failure?
-no permanent settlements
-their diseases killed many Indians
-no treasure or riches
De Soto’s legacy was destruction, death, and disappointment.
Robert de La Salle (French) 1682
1.What were the goals of his expedition?
He wanted to secure the entire Mississippi valley for France and even challenge
Spain for control of the mouth of the river.
2. Who was La Salle lieutenant?
Henri de Tonti
3. What did La Salle inform the Indians when he came into Arkansas (near the Quapaws’
village of Kappa)? How did he complete the bargain?
He claimed the entire Mississippi River valley in the name of the king of France,
Louis XIV, and called it Louisiana. He arranged a ceremony to complete the bargain.
They marched on the plaza of the village with flag bearing the coat of arms (represents an
individual or family, usually royalty) and planted the pole in the ground. La Salle and his
men now believed that France owned Arkansas and all of Louisiana. With two Indian
guides he repeated his claim on the entire river valley.
4. Explain why he went back to France.
He had plans to establish a city at the mouth of the Mississippi to control the
river. He went back to France to prepare a larger expedition for 1684.

2. 5. Explain why he never made it back to the Mississippi River.
His ship got caught in a storm and wrecked along the coast. He went ashore with
plans to travel by land but some of his men revolted. They thought he failed as
their leader and guide so they killed him on March 19, 1687.
6. What legacy did he leave behind?
He opened the waterways for exploration. He was the first to attempt a permanent
European settlement in the area. He claimed land for France and built positive
relationships with the Indians (especially the Quapaw).
Jacques Marquette/ Louis Joliet (French) 1673
1.What made the French fur trade more successful?
The French made friends with the Indians because they knew they could not
actually conquer them.
2. What were the goals of the expedition?
Marquette was a Roman Catholic priest who hoped to convert the Indians to the
Christian faith. Joliet was a fur trapper and trader interested in new ways of trade.
They both hoped to find gold or a water route through N. America to the Indies.
3. Explain the reception they received from the Quapaws when they reached Arkansas.
What did they realize about their journey on the Mississippi River?
The Quapaws were friendly, they shared their abundant food with the explorers,
and already had European hatchets, knives, and beads through trade.
They learned that they were not far from the mouth of the Mississippi and that it
did not empty into the Pacific Ocean/ Gulf of California. They decided to go back
to Canada because they were getting closer to Spanish lands.
4. What accomplishments did they have after their long trip?
A map and a report of the trip. The report designated a name for the area
“Arkansas” based on the French translation of the Illinois Indian word for
Quapaws (meaning “downstream people”)

3. ARKANSAS POST
1. Explain Henri De Tonti’s role in establishing the Arkansas Post
a. Describe the early years of the Arkansas Post
2. Explain John Law’s impact on the Arkansas Post
a. What did he do?
b. How were the French colonists affected?
c. Describe the Arkansas Post through the rest of the 1700s
3. Describe the Daily Life at the Arkansas Post
a. Entertainment
b. Relationship with the Indians (Quapaw, Osage, Chickasaws)
c. How did they live? (land, food, clothing)
d. Trade with the Indians
e. Slavery
f. Marriage
4. Describe the Revolutions
a. French & Indian War (Seven Year War)
b. Revolutionary War