Customer Reviews

Time of the French in the Heart of North America, 1673-1818

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers the French in Illinois, as well as the their relationship with the Illini Indian Confederacy. French by birth, and a historian by training, Balesi uses French archives along with Canadian and American sources to bring alive the period from the 1670's to 1800. Never one to shy from taking a stand, Balesi boldly admires the French, and paints a fascinating portrait of the rise and fall of the Indians that formed the Illini. If you are loking for a "multicultural book" that is filled with evil Europeans and noble natives, you will be disappointed as Balesi is only interested in truth, the whole truth and nothing but. Placing all actions in the context of the times, he can wax eloquent about a Mass at Peoria, with the hymns in the Illini's dialect. Then he can just as well describe a Winnebago massacre of a contingent of Illini who came to HELP the Winnebago. Any who have an interest in the history of these times or Illinois, would be well rewarded by a reading of this fine book. Patrick R. Collins

"The Time Of The French In The Heart Of North America" is a superb history of the French dominion in the Illinois-Wisconsin region from 1673-1818. Dr. Balessi introduces the reader to the major themes and players of French Midwestern history.

French expansion into the Illinois-Wisconsin area was driven by the global expansionist policy of King Louis XIV. New France was on life supports when Pierre Boucher, administrator for Trois Rivieres (and my ninth great-granduncle), was sent to France to plead for additional aid. Boucher's three hour audience with Louis led to increased support for the colony, enabling to its expansion from the St. Lawrence into the Great Lakes area. Taking administration from a syndicate, Compagnie des Cent Associates, control was placed in the hands of Royal officials supported by Royal Troops.

New administration lead to increased exploration conducted by the likes of Louis Jollet, Pere Jacques Marquette and Rev. Jean Francois St. Cosme. Initiatives in the interior sparked rivalries between the Jesuits, who wished to reproduce the success of their Paraguayan colony uncontaminated by outside influences, and other missionaries as well as with secular traders. Encouraged by rumors of a river flowing to the sea, exploration depended on cooperation with the Indian tribes.

Exploration gave way to development, prominently led by Robert Cavalier de LaSalle and his associate, Henri de Tonty. In the course of founding a series of trading posts, LaSalle and Tonty established patterns of trade and loyalty with the Indian tribes, while launching the "Griffon", the first vessel to navigate the Western Great Lakes. In so doing, La Salle brought the Illinois-Wisconsin area into the Canadian fur-trading economy.

Eventually, the growth of the fur trade lead to increasing numbers of traders plying the Western waters. By the end of the 17th century, the Illinois country was united to the new French settlements established by Iberville at the mouth of the Mississippi and the in area around Mobile. Illinois now had outlets to both the North and the South.

It was at this time that the Jesuit vision of a new Paraguay led to a rivalry with the missionary priests of the Missions Etrangeres commissioned by the Bishop of Quebec. The first quarter of the 18th century would be a period of growth, with future great cities such as Detroit and Chicago rising, while the military bastion of Fort de Chartres was established to guard the Mississippi. Amid this growth, European wars led to shifting borders and Indian wars in Illinois and Louisiana led to shifting tribal alliances.

The increased settlements led to growing populations, not only of itinerant traders but also of communities of habitants, as Illinois became the breadbasket of French America.

One of the most interesting parts of the story, in my opinion, is the story of the dedicated priests and religious who devoted their lives to bringing the Gospel to French and Indians alike. This part of the French story illustrates the similarity between the colonial history of the French and the Spanish, in contrast to that of the English, for whom evangelization of the Indians was not a significant goal.

Dr. Balesi's explanation of French relations with the Indians illustrates a distinguishing characteristic of French colonization versus that of the English. The French model was to work, trade and live with the Indians, in contrast to the British pattern of supplantation of Indians with colonial farmers.

Ultimately, the French and Indian War, with the resulting diplomatic agreements, ended the era of French political dominance of Illinois. Thereafter, a French community shifted between an English east bank of the Mississippi and a Spanish west bank. The rising tide Anglo migration to the west, ultimately, submerged French culture in an American sea.

Though the era of the French in the Heart of North America is gone, it is not, thanks largely to Dr. Balesi, forgotten. Its story is both noble and inspiring. It deserves an eloquent telling. "The Time Of The French In The Heart Of North America" does it justice.

This book should be mandatory reading in all North American public high schools! Mr. Balesi has written an easy to understand, interesting, captivating, and insightful story about the first half of our North American history. Many questions of our present day culture are answered in this short volume. Anyone interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition should read this book first.

This book focuses mostly on the explorations of Joliet and La Salle, and does not give readers the full picture. If you wish to learn the true significance of the French and Indians who fought in Illinois and Wisconsin, i would recommend reading W.J. Eccles' "Frontenac: The Courtier Governor" followed by Edmunds and Peyser's "The Fox Wars: The Mesquakie Challenge to New France."