France's Colonial Presence in South America

Early French Colonies in Brazil

• 1531: Initial French settlement on the island of Santo Aleixo.
  • Small fort and trading post established.
  • Abandoned quickly due to Portuguese aggression.
• 1555: Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon led a new expedition with 600 men to the Bay of Guanabara.
  • Colony started but faced leadership issues under Villegagnon.
  • 1559: Villegagnon returns to France, leaving his nephew in charge.
  • The colony was dismantled by the Portuguese after armed conflict.

Continued Attempts in Brazil

• 1590: Adolphe Montbil led another expedition to Ibiapaba.
  • Colony lasted 14 years but was ended by the Portuguese in 1604.
• 1612: French attempt to settle in Maranhão.
  • Colony lasted only a couple of years before surrendering to the Portuguese.

French Guiana: A Persistent Effort

• 1624: Initial French settlement attempt in Guiana.
  • Abandoned due to Portuguese aggression.
• 1643: Established a colony in Cayenne.
  • Initial struggles with indigenous attacks.
  • Region contested by Dutch and French until the Treaty of Breda (1667).

Consolidation and Challenges

• 1763: Treaty of Paris resulted in France losing most American colonies, retaining French Guiana.
  • Attempts to secure the colony with additional settlers failed due to disease and indigenous conflicts.
• 1776: Pierre Victor Malouet and Jean-Samuel Guizon's efforts improved agriculture and stability.
• 1792: French Revolution impacts:
  • Prison established for dissenters.
  • Numerous exiles died due to harsh conditions.

19th Century Developments

• 1809: Portuguese invasion captured French Guiana.
  • Returned to France by the Treaty of Paris (1814).
• Abolition of slavery adversely affected plantation success.
• Continued use of the colony as a penal settlement.

20th Century Progress

• 1946: French Guiana became an overseas department of France.
• 1970s: Kourou became a rocket launch site, enhancing economic prospects.

Push for Autonomy

• Late 20th Century: Protests for independence.
  • 2010 referendum rejected autonomy.
• French Guiana remains a part of France despite its tumultuous colonial history.