1st French period Louisiana Creole people

map of north america in 1750, before french , indian war (part of international 7 years war (1756 1763)). possessions of britain (pink), france (blue), , spain (orange)

through both french , spanish (late 18th century) regimes, parochial , colonial governments used term creole ethnic french , spanish born in new world opposed europe. parisian french predominant language among colonists in new orleans.

later regional french evolved contain local phrases , slang terms. french creoles spoke became known colonial french. because of isolation, language in colony developed differently in france. spoken ethnic french , spanish , creole descendants.

the commonly accepted definition of louisiana creole today person descended ancestors in louisiana before louisiana purchase united states in 1803. estimated 7,000 european immigrants settled in louisiana during 18th century, 1 percent of number of british colonists in thirteen colonies along atlantic coast. louisiana attracted considerably fewer french colonists did west indian colonies. after crossing of atlantic ocean, lasted more 2 months, colonists had numerous challenges ahead of them in louisiana frontier. living conditions difficult: uprooted, had face new, hostile, environment, difficult climate , tropical diseases. many of these immigrants died during maritime crossing or after arrival.

hurricanes, unknown in france, periodically struck coast, destroying whole villages. mississippi delta plagued periodic yellow fever epidemics. europeans brought eurasian diseases of malaria , cholera, flourished along mosquitoes , poor sanitation. these conditions slowed colonization. moreover, french villages , forts not sufficient protect enemy offensives. attacks native americans represented real threat groups of isolated colonists. natchez killed 250 colonists in lower louisiana in retaliation encroachment europeans. natchez warriors took fort rosalie (now natchez, mississippi) surprise, killing pregnant women, among others. during next 2 years, french attacked natchez in return, causing them flee or, when captured, deported slaves caribbean colony of saint-domingue (later haiti).

casket girls

aside french government representatives , soldiers, colonists included young men recruited in french ports or in paris. served indentured servants; required remain in louisiana length of time, fixed contract of service, pay cost of passage , board. during time, temporary semi-slaves. increase colonial population, government recruited young frenchwomen, known filles à la cassette (in english, casket girls, referring casket or case of belongings brought them) go colony wed colonial soldiers. king financed dowries each girl. (this practice similar events in 17th-century quebec: 800 filles du roi (daughters of king) recruited immigrate new france under monetary sponsorship of louis xiv.)

in addition, french authorities deported female criminals colony. example, in 1721, ship la baleine brought close 90 women of childbearing age prison of la salpêtrière in paris louisiana. of women found husbands among male residents of colony. these women, many of whom prostitutes or felons, known baleine brides. such events inspired manon lescaut (1731), novel written abbé prévost, later adapted opera in 19th century.

historian joan martin maintains there little documentation casket girls (considered among ancestors of french creoles) transported louisiana. (the ursuline order of nuns, said chaperone girls until married, have denied casket girl myth well.) martin suggests account mythical. instead, sexual relationships , cultural exchanges occurred during initial settlement of louisiana among male europeans , female native americans , africans (most of latter enslaved). writes creole families dating colonial period, today identify white, had african and/or mixed-race ancestors during colonial period, marrying increasingly white on generations. system of plaçage continued 19th century resulted in many young white men having women of color partners , mothers of children, before or after marriages white women. french louisiana included communities of swiss , german settlers; however, royal authorities did not refer louisianans described colonial population french citizens.