Starting in the late 17th century, the area became the site of an extensive trading network among the American Indians of the region through forts along the river valleys as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. The French lost control of the region following the French and Indian War, otherwise known as the Seven Years' War, in 1763, with the portion east of the Mississippi ceded to Britain and the portion west of the Mississippi ceded to Spain. Under Spanish control, the economic activity in the Mississippi basin shifted southward away from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, leading the growth of importance of the ...

See also:

Louisiana New France, Louisiana New France - History, Louisiana New France - Notable figures in the history of Louisiana

Read more here: » Louisiana New France: Encyclopedia II - Louisiana New France - History