The State of Louisiana has a very peculiar and particular history. Unlike other states from the Union, Louisiana did not become a U.S state until 1812, when it was purchased by Americans from the Spanish crown. Up until that point, political, social, economical and cultural life depended entirely on first the French influence, then the Spanish cultural influx when the region came under control of the Spanish crown and finally, later, in 1812, did Louisiana became an American state with American system of government. Another point to learn about this state is that its educational development came hand-in-hand with the influence from the Catholic Church. They were the first institution, with the support of the Spanish crown, to establish educational institutions that were for the poor and rich alike, for men and women and also black and white. It was not until much later, a few years before the Civil War and later that segregation and conflicts between original Creole inhabitants of the state and citizens coming from other states started. Later on, as the ninteenth and 20th centuries developed, a set of legislative decisions both statewise and nationwise changed the way that the educational system was handled. It was then that public education as such started, but the problem was that segregation also came with it and a setback for equal education regardless of sex, religion or race. 1. The changes in legislative laws affected the educational system because it created divisions and an awareness of the reasons for these divisions, which had not been present before. 2. These legislative decisions however allowed for the increase in number of educational organization and institutions which were controlled by the state and gave more access to the poorer citizens of the state. It increased access to education but at the same time, in reality, it ensured this mostly for white people. 3. It is important to revive cultural traits in Louisiana because its history and cultural traits are very unique in the United States and it is what makes this state so different. THeir historical and cultural background enriches American history and culture. 4. Nowadays there are several attempts to bring back cultural revival in the state of Louisiana that attempt not only to teach citizens the roots from which the state arises but also ingrain a sense of belonging.
