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Parlez-vous français? The French In Texas

Over the previous 10 episodes I focused primarily on the Native Peoples and the early Spanish explorations and attempts to colonize Texas. Today I will delve a little deeper into the French experiences in Texas. As we know the slogan “Six flags over Texas” is the slogan used to describe the six nations that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of Texas, two of those are Spain (1519–1685; 1690–1821), and  France (1685–1690).  If you’ll notice the French “rule” ran for only 5 years, now the question arises whether France ever truly ruled Texas or if their flag flew in a very limited way in the territory.

Remember how in episode 9, I discussed how France and Spain had been involved in a war that last for years.  Once the war ended, there was still tension between the two nations and that extended to their “colonies” or explorations in the New World.  That tension increased after La Salle of France made a claim to Texas by establishing what is referred to La Salle’s Texas Settlement  on the Texas coast in summer 1685.  Who as La Salle and what was this settlement? …Ya gotta listen to get the answers….