1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,160 Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest episode of the History AI Podcast. 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:05,960 I'm your host Chuck. 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:07,080 And I'm Marco. 4 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:12,120 We've got an incredibly fascinating character on the docket for today's episode, don't we Marco? 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:14,000 Oh, we certainly do Chuck. 6 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:22,560 Today we are going to delve deep into the life of an important figure from the era of exploration, René Robert Cavalier, more popularly known as LaSalle. 7 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:32,680 Yes, our French listeners might think we're talking about the room in English, but no, we're here to discuss the explorer, the dreamer, and at times the unlucky sailor, LaSalle. 8 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,680 Ha ha, eye to that Chuck. 9 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:40,320 A charismatic man of endless ambition, yet sadly fated with an ironic ending, wouldn't you say? 10 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:41,800 I would indeed Marco. 11 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:45,880 But before we jump into that, let's start from the very beginning. 12 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:52,480 René Robert Cavalier was born on November 22nd, 1643, in Rouen, France. 13 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:59,680 His family were wealthy merchants, and young LaSalle was educated by the Jesuits, even joining their order for a time. 14 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,000 But you know what they say about best laid plans, right Chuck? 15 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:05,120 They often go awry. 16 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:13,440 LaSalle left the Jesuit order in 1667, and decided to seek his fortune across the sea in the new French colonies of North America. 17 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:15,560 And that was no easy feat Marco. 18 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:22,480 Those were the times when Google Maps would have read, sorry, we couldn't calculate the walking directions to North America. 19 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:23,600 True Chuck. 20 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:33,520 After arriving in New France, now modern day Canada, LaSalle quickly proved himself a competent administrator and was granted senorial rights to a territory near Montreal. 21 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:37,640 Now, that's where our friend LaSalle started showing his exploration chops. 22 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:47,640 With his sights set on finding a route to China through North America, he embarked on numerous expeditions, the most famous of which was the exploration of the Mississippi River. 23 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:57,160 In 1682, after several failed expeditions and misadventures, LaSalle finally navigated the entire length of the Mississippi River down to the Gulf of Mexico. 24 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:03,560 He claimed the entire Mississippi basin for France, naming it Louisiana after King Louis XIV. 25 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,360 A claim that would have a huge impact on the future United States. 26 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:12,360 Let's just take a moment here to reflect on the audacity and ambition of this man. 27 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:21,480 At a time when many Europeans hadn't ventured beyond their own towns or cities, here was LaSalle, claiming vast swathes of unknown territory in the name of France. 28 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:23,320 Right you are Chuck. 29 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,240 He was literally putting places on the map. 30 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:31,360 Although, had he had access to GPS, he might have saved himself a lot of trouble later on. 31 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,000 True Marco. 32 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:40,000 Following the successful exploration of the Mississippi, LaSalle returned to France to inform the King of his accomplishment. 33 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:47,840 With royal backing, he then embarked on another ambitious venture establishing a French colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. 34 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,960 And here's where Lady Luck started showing her fickle nature. 35 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:59,080 In a tale more twisted than a telenovela, LaSalle's expedition failed miserably, as he missed the Mississippi and ended up in Texas. 36 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:04,080 Yes, and in a tragic twist of fate, it was there in Texas that LaSalle met his end. 37 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:11,200 Frustration and mutiny among his men grew, and in 1687, LaSalle was killed by his own men. 38 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,000 Talk about the wrong place at the wrong time, eh Chuck? 39 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,120 Absolutely Marco. 40 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:26,920 His death was indeed a sad and ironic end to a man who had navigated uncharted territories, braved wilderness, and survived numerous setbacks, only to be killed by his own people. 41 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:32,920 And while LaSalle's colony in Texas didn't survive, his dream of a French empire in North America lived on. 42 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:40,040 His exploration of the Mississippi River and his claim to Louisiana helped France to establish a large presence in the New World. 43 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:44,160 Not to mention the significant effect his actions had on the later United States. 44 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:54,280 The Louisiana territory that he claimed for France was sold to the US in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, significantly expanding the size of the country. 45 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,280 That's a legacy most explorers would dream of, isn't it Chuck? 46 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,400 Definitely Marco. If only he could have lived to see it. 47 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:08,520 Well, that brings us to the end of this exploration of the life and times of René Robert Cavalier, or as we know him, LaSalle. 48 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,640 It's been quite a journey, hasn't it Chuck? 49 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:18,760 Indeed Marco. From the streets of Ruan to the wilds of North America, LaSalle's life was nothing short of extraordinary. 50 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:25,760 Join us next time on the History AI Podcast, where we continue to explore the lives of history's most intriguing figures. 51 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:27,880 For now, it's goodbye from me Marco. 52 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,000 And me Chuck. 53 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,120 Stay curious, folks. 54 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:34,240 Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. 55 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:38,360 When the world hits hard, hit back harder with Strikeforce Energy. 56 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:45,480 The zero sugar, zero calorie, power pack energy drink additive that fuels your adventure. 57 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:50,480 Just a quick squeeze turns any drink into a relentless power source. 58 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:54,600 Perfect for your workout, your hike, your life. 59 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,720 Ready to strike? 60 00:04:56,840 --> 00:05:04,840 Visit strikeforceenergy.com, use coupon code UTSALAX24 for an explosive 20% off your order. 61 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:08,960 Strikeforce Energy, unleash your potential. 62 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:15,960 Strikeforce Energy, fuel the fight within you.