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Unit 5 Spanish Louisiana. Spanish Government Begins. Creoles were outraged when they learned that the Spanish had control of the colony. Spain owned the colony, but France continued to run it.
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Unit 5 Spanish Louisiana
Spanish Government Begins • Creoles were outraged when they learned that the Spanish had control of the colony. • Spain owned the colony, but France continued to run it. • Charles-PhillipeAubry was the garrison leader and acted on behalf of the colony until Spain sent and official governor.
Antonio de Ulloa (oo-yo-ah) • First Governor from Spain was Antonio de Ulloa • a famous scientist and engineer • weak, distant, poor manager, and an introvert.
French Colonial Government Remains • Ulloa chose to forego a formal public ceremony celebrating the transfer of Louisiana from France to Spain. • He planned to rule behind the scenes.
Unrest in the Colony Governor Ulloa: • Set new economic regulations • destroyed traditional trade ties. • Told colony must trade with Spanish • Inflation was out of control so Ulloa fixed prices. • Merchants did not like being told how much they could charge for goods. • The Superior Council hated him and began plotting to rebel.
Unrest in the Colony • Louisianans felt Ulloa was weak • Because there had been no ceremony, many questioned if Spain really owned LA • Ulloa married a woman from Peru so many colonists thought he broke Code Noir • No one was invited to the wedding; New Orleans was offended • French colonists expected governor to throw parties and provide entertainment; Ulloa did none of this
The Creole Revolution • October 28, 1768—a mob of locals disabled the cannons protecting New Orleans. • 400 Creoles and German Coast residents stormed the city, and the Superior Council ordered Ulloa to leave. • Ulloa left, and the French flag flew once again. • The colonists wrote a letter to the French king asking to be taken back by France. • The king did not respond.
The Spanish Return to Louisiana • One year later, a Spanish fleet of 24 ships with 2,000 soldiers arrived in New Orleans to take back control. • The fleet was commanded by General Don Alejandro O’Reilly. • O’Reilly heard the complaints against Ulloa from the rebellion leaders • The leaders tried to convince O’Reilly that they rebelled against Ulloa not Spain
The Spanish Return to Louisiana • The leaders interpreted O’Reilly’s courteous reception as acceptance of their excuse for rebelling. • O’Reilly headed to New Orleans and paraded the military in the Place de Armes and fired ceremonial cannons. • Cooperation by Aubry labeled him as a traitor to the French citizens in Louisiana
Bloody O’Reilly • O’Reilly invite 13 leaders of the Creole Rebellion to his home. • The 13 men were some of the wealthiest Louisiana citizens • They were immediately arrested • French citizens were offended by the violation of hospitality
Bloody O’Reilly • The rebels were tried by O’Reilly • 12 were found guilty • 5 were executed by firing squad • 6 were sent to prision • All their money and property were confiscated • O’Reilly became known as Bloody O’Reilly and served as Louisiana Governor for a year • No one challenged his authority
New Laws • The Spanish government was more effective than the French government had been. • Specifically trained for jobs • Checks and balances • Reduced political corruption
New Laws • Governor and two lieutenant governors • The colony was divided into 12 districts • Each district had a commandment to enforce the law and judge minor cases. • Each also had a Catholic church and a priest
The Cabildo • The new governing body was called the Cabildoand replaced the Superior Council • Passed laws for the city of New Orleans. • Each member had specific responsibilities. • Function of Cabildo: • Passed laws • Advised governor • Listened to appealed convictions
The Legal System Improves • The new Spanish legal system was named the O’Reilly Code • Similar to Code Noir but included more slave rights • Slaves could now testify in court. • Slaves were guaranteed a 30-minute lunch break and two-hour dinner breaks. • Owners could now free slaves without government permission. • Slaves had the right to buy their own freedom by splitting any wages they earned with their owners.
Luis de Unzaga • Unzaga replaced O’Reilly as governor of Louisiana. • His marriage to a local woman made him very popular. • He allowed English trading vessels, called floating warehouses, to come down the Mississippi River and trade goods—even though it was illegal. This quickly built the economy.
A. The American Revolution • July 4, 1776, colonial Americans declared their independence • Spain did not officially support either side, but hoped the colonies would win. • Unzaga then offered to help • He provided Oliver Pollock, an American merchant with wheat to aid the colonies.
Bernardo de Gálvez • Galvez became governor after Unzaga. • Worked secretly provide aid to the colonies • Shipped medicine, clothing, and weapons up the Mississippi to the rebels • Galvez raised an army and marched for Baton Rouge. • Army included Spanish soldiers, Creoles, black militiamen, and Indians • Galvez captured Fort Bute, Fort Richmond, an English regiment at Mobile, and Pensacola.