The 1763 Treaty of Paris ended the major war known by Americans as the French and Indian War and by Canadians as the Seven Years' War / Guerre de Sept Ans, or by French-Canadians, La Guerre de la Conquête. It was signed by Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. Preferring to keep Guadeloupe, France gave up Canada and all of its claims to territory east of the Mississippi River to Britain. With France out of North America this dramatically changed the European political scene on the continent.
At first only the imperial powers of Europe had the resources to support and expand settlements in North America. As time went on the colonies became more powerful and sought independence from the Old World. These demands for more autonomy sparked several wars, including the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and the Mexican War of Independence (1810–1821).
Louisiana was a province that had a colorful and rich history in its various roles as a European colony. The region was well-favored due to its position and siting. The Louisiana presented vast possibilities to the different interested nationalities, both in the geographical and political realm. The Spanish had envisioned the region as an easy border of an empire stretching from Buenos to California. To the French, the area added an expansion from Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region into Canada.
