Fort Caroline and Rene Laudonnière
Through access to documented geography and narratives of La Florida in the 16th century, students will successfully identify both French and Spanish perspectives and primary documentation in the construction of the historical record.
After investigating the sources, students will:
What is the origin of the source? Author and time-period of creation?
What cultural assumptions can be made about the author and/or the time period?
What are the inconsistencies? Why might these exist?
What motivations may have driven the author of this work?
Why is the study of local history often portrayed as parochial?
Question 1: Which river influences Le Moyne’s cartography?
Question Question 2: Discuss the general location and physical features of this river.
Menéndez wishes to prevent further French intrusion and control the Gulf Stream/shipping routes as well as access points to Cuba and Mexico. The Spanish are influenced by their belief in a potential silver land route to Zacatecas and additional land. Philip II is interested in conquest and permanent settlement of La Florida prior to discovery of Laudonnière’s colony.
Extending the Lesson:
French account of the attack on Fort Caroline, pages 17-22. Available here .
Spanish account of the attack. Available here .
Safari Montage also contains a video: Conquest of America: Southeast
French deserters of Fort Caroline, displeased with the colony’s condition, sailed south to the Caribbean committing piracy to Spanish ships and towns. Eventually caught, they admitted the location of the French fort in claimed Spanish territory.
Word of the French presence did not arrive to King Philip II until March 30, 1565, ten days after Pedro Menéndez ’s contract to settle Florida had been signed.
Menéndez admits that he is to rid the land of all French Lutherans under his Majesty’s orders. Ribault and Menéndez engage in a standoff at the mouth of the River of May on September 4, and a Ribault attack at St. Augustine proved unsuccessful. A strong windstorm lashed the coast for several days and Ribault attempts to strengthen his sea garrison, leaving his land garrison severely undermanned. Under the cover of the storm, Menéndez lead an overland attack at an inlet south of St. Augustine.
Pro Massacre: Ribault and followers voluntarily surrendered; brutally murdered. Against Massacre: Roughly 70 out of 1000 people were killed; Menéndez would have been unable to feed the French prisoners along with his own men; also discovers evidence of Ribault’s plans to colonize the New World upon arrival at Fort Caroline.
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