America's French Colony: A History of New Orleans | Legendary Cities Cultural History Documentary

Summary

The video explores the rich French heritage and cultural history of New Orleans. It traces the founding of the city by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville in 1718 and highlights its French colonial architecture, such as the French Quarter and St. Louis Cathedral. The video delves into the cultural impact of free people of color, the influence of French opera, and the birth of jazz. It also touches on key historical moments, including the Louisiana Purchase and New Orleans' recovery after Hurricane Katrina, celebrating the city's unique music and enduring legacy.

Takeaways

• 🌍 René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle named the Mississippi Delta region Louisiana in 1682, honoring Louis XIV.
• 🏙️ New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and named in honor of the Duke Philippe d'Orléans.
• 🏛️ The French Quarter, despite being rebuilt mostly by the Spanish, retains its French colonial charm and history.
• 🏰 St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the U.S., holds historical flags and honors its French namesake, Louis XIV.
• 🏆 The free people of color played a crucial role in the cultural development of New Orleans, especially in the establishment of St. Augustine Church.
• 🎶 The city’s opera culture, supported by free people of color, thrived in the 19th century, attracting famous operas from France before New York.
• 🎺 Louis Armstrong, a key figure in jazz, launched his career in New Orleans, and the city's Congo Square is considered the birthplace of jazz.
• 🍸 New Orleans claims to be the origin of the word 'cocktail,' stemming from a Creole pharmacist’s creation of an aromatic bitters drink.
• 📖 The French Quarter attracted many literary figures, including Tennessee Williams, who was inspired by the city’s vibrant, tolerant atmosphere.
• 🚢 The sale of Louisiana to the United States in 1803 was marked by a formal ceremony in The Cabildo, now one of New Orleans' main museums.

Q & A

Who named the land Louisiana and in whose honor?

René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle named the land Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV.

Who founded New Orleans and in what year?

Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville founded New Orleans in 1718.

What is the significance of the name 'New Orleans'?

New Orleans was named in honor of the regent, Duke Philippe d'Orléans.

What is the Vieux Carré, and who was entrusted with planning the city?

The Vieux Carré, or the French Quarter, is New Orleans' historic district. The French engineer Adrien de Pauger was entrusted with planning the city.

What is the historical significance of Napoleon Bonaparte's house in New Orleans?

Napoleon Bonaparte's house is significant because the mayor at the time, Nicholas Girod, had attempted to free Napoleon from his exile in Saint Helena and move him into this house.

What type of people primarily made up the French settlers in New Orleans?

The French settlers in New Orleans were primarily servicemen, adventurers, convicts, prostitutes, and counterfeiters, known as smugglers.

What is the historical importance of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans?

St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the United States, built in the 18th century alongside the birth of the French Quarter. It houses a collection of flags representing the countries that have dominated the region.

How is the St. Augustine Church connected to the free people of color in New Orleans?

The St. Augustine Church was built in 1842 by the free people of color, who were black and mixed race people freed from slavery for several generations. Some of them fought for slaves to have access to this church.

What role did free people of color play in the cultural development of New Orleans?

Free people of color played an important part in the cultural development of New Orleans, with many artists, including opera singers, being of this group. They were also instrumental in the early opera scene in North America.

How did the end of the American Civil War affect the free people of color in New Orleans?

The end of the American Civil War and the subsequent segregation led to the free people of color losing some of their privileges, including participation in operas.

What is the connection between New Orleans and the development of jazz music?

New Orleans is considered the cradle of jazz music. The city's African-American culture, particularly in places like Congo Square, now Louis Armstrong Park, played a significant role in the development of jazz.