Jolliet and Marquette Explore the Mississippi River

May 17th, 1673

May 17th, 1673

Jolliet and Marquette Explore the Mississippi River
How Long Ago?

351 years, 9 months, 26 days ago

Location

St. Ignace, Michigan, United States

Category

Exploration & Discovery

People
  • Louis Jolliet
  • Jacques Marquette
Links & References
Tags

Jolliet and Marquette Explore the Mississippi River

Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette embarked on an expedition to explore the Mississippi River, aiming to discover its connected waterways and establish relations with Native American tribes. They departed from St. Ignace, Michigan, traveling in canoes and carrying supplies for their journey. The expedition was inspired by European interest in the potential for trade and territorial expansion in North America.

Jolliet and Marquette began a major exploration.

They sought to map the Mississippi River system.

The journey encouraged French trade with indigenous tribes.

Their expedition spanned over 2,500 miles.

What Happened?

In the spring of 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette set out from the mission settlement of St. Ignace, in present-day Michigan, to explore the Mississippi River. Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, was eager to spread Christianity among Indigenous groups, while Jolliet was a seasoned cartographer and fur trader. Their journey was motivated by a desire to map the Mississippi River, understand its geography, establish trade routes, and seek opportunities for converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity.

The expedition began in mid-May 1673 with a small party of five men and two canoes. They navigated the waters of the Great Lakes before entering the Wisconsin River, which would serve as their primary waterway leading them southward into the Mississippi. Along the way, Jolliet and Marquette documented their interactions and observations of the various tribes they encountered, including the Illinois and the Osage. They aimed to gather information about the river's course and the potential for trade with the French in Canada.

Their explorations were significant not only for cartographic records but also for laying groundwork for future French claims in the region. The duo’s understanding of the river's vast network allowed for future expeditions and eventually contributed to France's imperial ambitions in North America. They traveled over 2,500 miles of the river system, marking a considerable advancement in the knowledge of North American geography and Indigenous cultures. Jolliet’s maps and accounts served as critical resources for later explorers and settlers in the continent.

Why Does it Matter?

The exploration of the Mississippi River by Jolliet and Marquette is notable as it marked the beginning of significant European interaction with vast regions of North America. Their journey not only advanced geographical knowledge but also laid the foundation for trade relations with Indigenous peoples. This exploration set the stage for subsequent French explorations and settlement, impacting the geopolitical landscape of the region for decades to come.

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