Following Bienville: The Founding of New Orleans

The origin story of New Orleans is a tale of rampant corruption, unchecked greed, fiendish vice, and gross incompetence - not much has changed!
Join me on an epic journey of discovery as I trace the route of the first French explorers to this area by paddling down Bayou St. John and walking overland to the French Quarter, exploring the geography and history of the city along the way.
Support Atun-Shei Films on Patreon ► / atunsheifilms
Leave a Tip via Paypal ► www.paypal.me/...
Buy Merch ► teespring.com/...
Official Website ► www.atunsheifi...
Maps by Carl Churchill ► / cchurchili
~REFERENCES~
[1] B.F. French. Historical Collections of Louisiana and Florida, Including Translations of Original Manuscripts Relating to Their Discovery and Settlement (1875). Albert Mason, Page 24-25
[2] Lawrence N. Powell. The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans (2012). Harvard University Press, Page 11-15
[3] Philomena Hauck. Bienville: Father of Louisiana (1998). Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Page 12-13
[4] Richard Campanella. “Link to the Past: From French Colonists to the Beginnings of Jazz, Spanish Fort Traces its History Across Three Centuries” (2019). Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate richcampanella...
[5] Hauck, Page 23-25
[6] Hauck, Page 6
[7] Hauck, Page 44-57
[8] Powell, Page 25-32
[9] Richard Campanella. Bienville’s Dilemma: A Historical Geography of New Orleans (2008). Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Page 109-110
[10] Campanella, Page 77-78
[11] Andrea P. White. “Archaeology of the New Orleans Area.” 64Parishes 64parishes.org...
[12] Campanella, Page 111
[13] Powell, Page 43-51
[14] Powell, Page 68-73
[15] Karen Ordahl Kupperman. A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados by Richard Ligon (2011). Hackett Publishing Company, Page 19
[16] Hauck, Page 89
[17] Powell, Page 56-58

[@revencovictor370]

You know, Bienville was kinda like the reverse Shrek. Desperately trying to get people into his swamp

[@tomuhawk96]

But as he's French, we can assume he also liked onions.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@tomuhawk96 Who doesn't?

[@kingofkilps]

"Why aren't you in my swamp!!"

[@509Gman]

@@tomuhawk96 Au pas camerade

[@bslprints9935]

Hahaha I guess this could be said of the Kirby brothers in Houston also

[@Blownapart23]

“George Washington is way too problematic of a historical figure for me to dress up as.” *Has a Nazi uniform is his closet*

[@matthewbadley5063]

We're getting meme'd here!

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

r/Whooooosh

[@crazydinosaur8945]

i think the differences is, that Washington is a much more controversial figure because some see him as good others as bad and all in between. the nazis on the other hand everybody (that are not total Dum dum racists neo-nazis) see the nazis as evil and therefor know that it is satire. i could be wrong though

[@bman6065]

@@crazydinosaur8945 well said

[@phil_cassidy]

@@forickgrimaldus8301 R slash thisisn'tfuckingreddit.

[@TheHistocrat]

Came for the New Orleans history, stayed to keep a running tally of how many times I'd have fallen in the Bayou if it was me.

[@wademarshall2364]

You DEFINITELY don't wanna go swimming in that

[@dansmart3182]

What was the tally?

[@Imperiused]

Hope you get along with the Bayou snakes!

[@TheHistocrat]

@@dansmart3182 One as I immediately got bitten by the snake and died.

[@AlternateHistoryHub]

My god the absolute commitment. Paddling down a creek in a wool outfit, while also going through the history off the top of your head. A feathered cap tip to you sir

[@StelltheBear]

I tip a tricorn hat

[@Hegemon1984]

hi cody

[@rob_i208]

Was thinking the same thing. Probably doesn't have many if any notes going through history while draining about a gallon of water into his wool pants he's about to walk two miles in. Not to mention walking two miles in those leather shoes. ooF

[@legoworksstudios1]

The dedication... it brings a tear to one's eye.

[@treadlightlyorelse849]

Hey @Alternatehistoryhub when are we going to get videos this length again

[@Jrez]

I love the history hecklers, "Bienville didn't have sunglasses!" lmao

[@skyclaw]

At least that one knew who he was dressed up as.

[@Jacob-yg7lz]

@@skyclaw There was also the guy in the inner city that knew

[@sarudon8412]

Life's too short to not get drunk in a costume!

[@mmcgrath2510]

All I need is a costume

[@Tayl0r_]

I’d love to buy this man a beer. He’s been getting me through rough times even before the pandemic!

[@briangarrow448]

Words to live by!

[@ChaseMcCain81]

Wtf

[@ChaseMcCain81]

18 hours ago?

[@mjr_schneider]

Atun-Shei: "George Washington is far too problematic a historical figure for me to dress up as." Johnny Reb: 👁👄👁 Klaus: 👁👄👁

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

Klaus. His name is Klaus.

[@mjr_schneider]

@@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041 Ah thanks for the correction.

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

@@mjr_schneider you're welcome.

[@lukefed]

Witchfinder General 👁👄👁

[@TheKirbyT]

I think there's a fundamental difference between using the generic imagery of a confederate or a nazi for satirical purposes vs. dressing up as a real, definitely lived person. Like, I'm okay with Klaus and Johnny Reb, but dressing up as Heinrich Himmler or General Lee would be too far. But that's where I draw the line and I realize that everyone can draw the line differently.

[@enclavesoldier8893]

As soon as I realized that the red stick meant “Baton Rouge” my two braincells exploded after figuring out the connection to the current city today.

[@JD-od6jh]

Same lol it's so obvious yet mind blowimg x'D

[@pnutz_2]

always good to remember whenever people go on about the french having amazing names for things

[@chloeedmund4350]

History is awesome. I don’t understand why it’s not more popular.

[@Wintermute01001]

@@chloeedmund4350 Because schools are more interested in cramming as many facts into our heads as possible and making us regurgitate them from memory than actually making history interesting.

[@ufc990]

@@Wintermute01001 Nah man it's not schools, a lot of people just don't give a f about history or stuff like this. You can't blame the variance of human interests on schooling.

[@HistorywithCy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...whether in a candlelit room, on a kayak, on the streets or the shores of the bayou, you are probably the best historian/storyteller on this platform...edutainment at its best!

[@euansmith3699]

In the words of Maximus Decimus Meridius, "Are you not edutained!?"

[@dxhunter9170]

I like TIK more for history. But Atun is definitely better entertainment wise

[@therealuncleowen2588]

That is a title which has developed into a strong competition. TIK. Dr Mark Felton. The History Guy. There are others. I think KZbin has done more to distribute fine history content than any platform since...the library.

[@OhDasGood]

My dad, an army brigade commander at fort Bragg , used some of your content from checkmate lincolnites to teach his officers about rebellion. Keep up this amazing content.

[@seamuswbiggerarmalite3379]

hehehezehe

[@ZeroKnots]

That's surprisingly awesome news. I left the 82nd (and the Army) in 2018, but reading that made me smile.

[@sparetime2475]

That’s awesome lmao

[@dragonsword7370]

That... is cool.

[@nykrev]

Royalty’s?

[@Jjames763]

“On the corner of Robert E. Lee street and Beauregard Avenue... two names that will never change!” Ah, this kind of humor is why I subbed to the channel.

[@warweasel2832]

What's funny is that 2 years on, while the main part has changed to Allen toussaint Blvd, the section by the Orleans Marina is still called "Robert E Lee". And Beauregard is still there.

[@thexalon]

"People said it would be daft to build a city in a swamp, but I built one anyway, just to show 'em!" - Bienville, probably. That said, making a good city seems to be in the man's name.

[@ShmeckleBoy]

But the fourth castle, that stayed.

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

The Romans built Rome on a marsh and just plain-feck drained it. Even my city (Leicester, England), initially colonized by Rome as a trade route fortification, was also a marsh, and a private company still maintains a little of the original Roman canalways, where you can now find men breaking the world record for consecutive number of nitrous canisters inhaled. Humans love building absolutely anywhere they can, anywhere! into the skies, into the seas. As such our town is littered with underground tunnels for water, some of which are in disuse or maybe straight-up forgotten. I go down there and map parts of it, like "Junkie Tunnel": a convenient highly-perched bend which is also fully enclosed underground. A few lines of couches are set there on that perch, free from getting wet from water flow, entirely hidden from the public, chasing that brown on the foil and passing out. Beautiful human culture.

[@gamingman2720]

@@ShmeckleBoy and that’s the castle your getting. The strongest castle around.

[@SatanicBarbeque]

How dare you, throwin around a pun like that like you own the damn place...take my like.

[@liamsmith4018]

Isn't he the Lord of Bienville? Isn't that a place name already and not a surname?

[@dippyfresh1635]

I'm sorry, did you just say "the urethra of the continent?" 😂😭💀

[@lisellesloan3191]

As a lover of New Olreans, that pissed me off! ;)

[@franciscodanconia45]

It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on, my dad always said.

[@felipedaiber2991]

Thats incorrecr, everyone knows the Uretra of the Americas is La Plata

[@509Gman]

@@doctordragon9798 clearly America is a futa, then

[@richmcgee434]

Fie on the Mississippi and La Plata. Sure, they're big, but test the water and I'll wager you won't find a river on either continent with a higher urine to water ratio than the Hudson. "NY Tough" doesn't extend to holding it till you find a restroom.

[@dorkmax7073]

I enjoy the fact that run-of-the-mill New Orleonaise know who Bienville is right off the cuff.

[@zachv1942]

You would be surprised. New Orleans is stepped in history. I live in Central NY and we have the same thing happens. We have homes older than the Civil War.

[@g3heathen209]

6:00 No matter where you go someone's Gotta complain about how accurate tour reenactor costume is..

[@TheGreatPurpleFerret]

It's our civic duty to take the piss out of men in fancy clothes no matter the time period.

[@AtunSheiFilms]

That guy was just teasing. We had a good laugh about it

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@@patriotadam4091 : All the world's a stage.

[@bonniea8189]

Dude working ren faire without sunglasses always gave me a headache, so rock on with your eye PPE

[@ZephLodwick]

I'm now imagining Atun Shei walking into the pub dressed up as Bienville and ordering a pint.

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

That would be a French pint then, ouais?

[@Ducaso]

Still not the oddest thing I'd see randomly in New Orleans.

[@FuckTard-dd1ee]

Haha wow 2quirk4me

[@FuckTard-dd1ee]

@Lucien Hicks lls I was thinking new Orleans has alot more going on then light reenactor costumed former tour guides making KZbin videos.

[@tylerelliott7642]

When I was in Quebec half the heroes were obscure explorers, like Jolliet. The guy mapped the Mississippi and tipped his canoe and lost the map

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

"YOU DIDN'T MAKE COPIES!?"

[@hydrogencyanide2493]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher "WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE COPIES?!"

[@TSZatoichi]

That's pretty bad, but I don't think anything can top the Antikythera mechanism. A hand made clockwork celestial timekeeper that would have taken years to create and perfect and it went down with the ship (possibly with the creator too) that was delivering it to it's new home. That's a tragic story that I would dearly love to know more about. If anyone ever gets a time machine, look up THAT guy.

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

@@TSZatoichi At least it's been preserved for the ages now for people like us in the 21st century to see with our own eyes instead of being lost to history like so many other lost objects of historical importance.

[@TSZatoichi]

@@Urlocallordandsavior - Indeed, and if I'm not mistaken someone has recreated the Mechanism as well. Poor Jolliets' map and hard work will never be seen by anyone and in a few centuries it's likely that no one will remember that it ever existed.

[@FakeSchrodingersCat]

I honestly cannot think of another city where someone walking around dressed as a French Colonial, carrying a Bourbon flag and a beer gets that little of a reaction.

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

There's a guy in Dresden who brings his USSR flag to the pedestrian zone every day and tries to convince people of his particular brand of communism...

[@stefanfranke5651]

@@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041 Is he still there? He belonged to the inventory of the city when I was a kid in the 90s. Always thought, something might happened to him when I didn't see him in Prager Straße.

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

@@stefanfranke5651 I haven't been to Dresden in a few years but back when I lived there in the 2010s he was. He even has a Wikipedia article...

[@Adamdidit]

Vegas. But to be fair, naming us is kinda cheating. My wife and I once saw a a man dressed as a rabbit surrounded by half a dozen guys dressed as carrots. It was a bachelor party. We didn't even talk about it til like an hour later .

[@katipunanball4799]

@@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041 what is his name?

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

Water splash on the kayak camera perfectly obscuring Bienville’s face

[@AtunSheiFilms]

Yeah and it happened right away too lol

[@craftpaint1644]

@@AtunSheiFilms the movie Cold Mountain needs inclusion in your reviews sir 😐 (pretty please)

[@chrisgill261]

"That river is the urethra of the continent" "Is this gonna be on the test?"

[@jbitt]

I love that some rando in the neighborhood knew exactly who he was dressed up as. That's taking an interest in local history.

[@matthewbadley5063]

24:14 You know I genuinely love someone recognized who you were suppose to be and what tf you were even doing just randomly as you were walking. It's those little moments when you meet someone educated enough to "get it" that really make you feel good.

[@veteran17865]

You should start a tour service that sticks to the facts, History nerds like me would like it. You can call it "Most people will find us boring tours".

[@bonniea8189]

I would seriously go for this. I went on a tour in the UK where the tour guide claimed that Charles I's taxation policies led to the American War of Independence and I was outraged. Even some non-history nerd Americans would know that it was"Mad" King George (George III) that the US rebelled against. Charles was executed in 1649, over 120 years before the colonies rebelled. Those colonists really left that pot on simmer I guess

[@Chasmodius]

There are some REALLY good historical tours in New Orleans. Especially those by, for, and about the black community.

[@joewilson3575]

Really makes you think about all the native American history we just don't know and might never know, all the settlements and people from before the French arrival are just gone.

[@communistsharks6889]

If you’re interested in it, Jesuits kept meticulous records of their voyages and they’re all public domaine. You can find them by googling ‘The Jesuit Relations’ and they’ve all been translated to English. Do keep in mind that they’re unreliable narrators, but I’ve written several papers on Illini agriculture and such using them as sources.

[@paulmentzer7658]

Finding that wine bottle brought back memories of a story my father told me of his time in France for 6 June 1944 to July 1944 (Yes he landed on Omaha Beach BUT after the Virginia National Guard had taken that beach). He was on the second wave and in combat by 9:00 am). Anyway while in Normandy, one of the soilders in his squad found a bottle of wine and decided to share it with the rest of the squad. My father's comment on that wine is worth repeating after he had a taste "I have drunk moonshine from Maine to Georgia and this is the WORSE thing I have ever tasted, no wonder the French left it for the Germans, and the Germans left it for us".

[@iammrbeat]

Ok, so this is now my favorite video of yours so far.

[@dmitrishostakovich9559]

who wouldn't love a man in a tricorn and breeches rowing down a bayou?

[@icaricc]

Mr breast

[@mccabber24]

Me; a White Canadian from the Prairies who has never had an interest in Louisiana, let alone New Orleans: Oh hell ya, a new video in my subscription box... From Atun-Shei? You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention!

[@chrisrodwell8245]

Same here!

[@gabrielperron7403]

It’s odd how many of us there are here

[@bendevin3012]

You fellow prairie Canadians have very good taste, cheers

[@thepeterharrison123]

Same here. I feel like Louisiana Tourism (if such an entity exists) should quietly sponsor content like this. Before today I had no interest in visiting Louisiana, but that changed after watching this video.

[@gonk4509]

Peter Harrison Louisiana Tourism exists and its pretty big. New Orleans is a really nice city.

[@g.holmes9930]

Dude you never miss. It's scary

[@AtunSheiFilms]

Thanks man!!

[@Snarl_Marx]

I'm a Californian, but I've always been absolutely fascinated by Louisiana, it's history and culture. This was a real treat!

[@seamuswbiggerarmalite3379]

look at ye super commiefornian

[@matthewp3017]

@@seamuswbiggerarmalite3379 I wish

[@TheExterminatorGuy]

@@matthewp3017 god imagine if California was communist 😩

[@DefconMaster]

@@TheExterminatorGuy There wouldn't be nearly as many homeless people, that's for sure.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@@DefconMaster : There wouldn't be a problem with anyone getting healthcare either.

[@jtgd]

Mississippi river: The Urethra of America!

[@weldonwin]

Better to be the Urethra, than the anus

[@richmcgee434]

If we accept that, what states are the bladder of (North) America?

[@Canhistoryismylife]

@@richmcgee434 Arkansas naturaly

[@Nick-rs5if]

@@Canhistoryismylife 😂

[@burgerbro6753]

All we need now is an Atun Shei video on John Brown and Dan Sickles

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Dan "The Man, The Myth, The Meme" Sickles would be an interesting subject for old Atun Shei. And possibly a look into "The Good Lord Bird" and its historical accuracy would be a cool jumping off point for an analysis of Osawatamie John Brown.

[@Adamdidit]

If you want to whet your whistle on John Brown, the Dollop did a multi-part series of podcasts on him.

[@tomaspabon2484]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher Dan "The Man, The Stan, The Van, The Can, The Tan, the Clan, The Fan" Sickles

[@harborseal1286]

I love how you guys edited in sunglasses onto Bienville because of the comment saying he didn't wear them.

[@ethankiter9323]

I have a weird urge to like the videos from this channel even though I haven’t seen them yet.

[@jennagossett3622]

same

[@mannythejew]

Oh you're in for a treat.

[@AtunSheiFilms]

That would be the mind control rays

[@ethankiter9323]

@@AtunSheiFilms could be right

[@dominictemple]

I generally do so before watching as I know I’m going to enjoy them and I sometimes forget afterwards if I don’t.

[@sk8rddy957]

I'm from d'Iberville and Biloxi. It's always odd when I tell people I'm from Mississippi because they say I don't sound very southern. Really though, the Gulf Coast is its own special thing. I feel much more at home in New Orleans and Mobile than I do say, Jackson, even Hattiesburg. The Coast just has its own culture (that I think is much better than the rest of the South).

[@cdogthehedgehog6923]

Well that's pretty elitist.

[@livendus]

Impressive how many different versions of "Marche pour la ceremonie des Turcs" you could put into a single video!

[@martymcwurst6248]

Came down to the section looking for this one.

[@hsnmhsnt]

ikr he got the orchestra midi the whole 9 yard

[@SethimusMaximus]

What is that surf guitar version?!

[@ThisisBarris]

That sexy voice at 12:15 sounds very similar 🤔 Awesome video Atun-Shei! Don’t know much about Louisiana so always happy to learn. Merde!

[@maciek_k.cichon]

yeah, I've heard that guy somewhere :D Unexpected but appreciated cameo

[@ardugaleen2231]

On est nombreux on est partout frr

[@buddy8225]

❤️ how you teach New Orleans history, uncut, uncensored and a a bit of humor. 😀

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

And a couple of drinks to loosen the mood and the tongue.

[@ButtonJockey]

"...keep me well supplied with beer and snacks..." Thumbs up given at this moment!

[@ghastlyghandi4301]

Should’ve attached the flag to the back of the canoe to assert the authority of le roi de France to the surrounding piétons, à terre et mer.

[@ardugaleen2231]

Ze bloody terriens should learn to respect le bon Roy Louis

[@MrTitanicfanatic2]

Videos like this are why I don't pay for Hulu, Netflix or Disney+. Absolutely fantastic work.

[@northwoodsrailproductions4538]

I skipped my current video for this, and I am so glad I did

[@WyanoPenna]

Weird to see other railfans in the comments of non-train videos

[@northwoodsrailproductions4538]

@@WyanoPenna As some railfans would make you believe with their obsession, I can safely say I’ve got other hobbies to break up the disappointment that the Railfan community can be

[@SouthJerseyRailfan]

@@northwoodsrailproductions4538 spitting facts

[@ApachZe]

As a native Louisianian from Lafourche Parish it’s REALLY great to know our true state history.

[@lhistorienchipoteur9968]

"Lafourche" ? It means "the fork" in french. (the big fork you use for the straw, not the one you use at table)

[@crazylegz324]

I’m grateful you moved here and share the history (good and bad) of this place with your viewers. When people can see New Orleans for what it is as a whole, without rose tinted glasses, they’ll see why it’s such a special place.

[@Hoarder_in_the_Borderlands]

Lol when he was rowing away and began to singing and quoting lord of the rings i knew you produced another masterpiece

[@jacklennon1035]

I follow a lot of history channels on KZbin, and i have to say, you are the easiest to listen too and the most engrossing. You can tell how passionate you really are about the subjects you talk about. I guess historians in general aren't that enthusiastic

[@Oxtocoatl13]

Enthusiastic? Yes. Skilled performers? Very often no. But history is definitely a profession you choose out of passion, there is no getting rich on that line of work.

[@jacklennon1035]

@@Oxtocoatl13 Apt point

[@jackhandsome4901]

I would like nothing more than the accidentally come across you guys making one of these videos 😂

[@redacted8525]

Saaaame

[@Adamdidit]

if you do, i'd bet money that he'd enjoy a witchfinder general reference thrown his way more than he would enjoy a checkmate lincolnites one probably gets them less

[@mikeulos6661]

Last time I was this early a confederate flag was over Fort Sumter

[@bernardosantos8020]

Last time I was this early Atlanta was on fire, which isn’t as early, but pretty early

[@nobodyherepal3292]

Last time I was this early, Vicksburg was under seige

[@509Gman]

Last time I was this early, Jackson was still teaching at VMI.

[@JohnDoe-be5zx]

Too soon.

[@HaloFTW55]

I’m late, are the Fenian Brotherhood raiding us?

[@0hMax]

17:25 You... You own an SS uniform... But yeah, George can be a little iffy.

[@501ststormtrooper9]

I mean, he doesn’t walk around in it outside in public..

[@purpleslog]

@@501ststormtrooper9 Maybe he just hasn’t posted those videos yet. KZbin might not react well to a video with Lots if “fuck off nazi” audio moments in it.

[@xenon8342]

Atun-Shei: Its a really working class area Me, A European: God damn that's a really nice area, look how big those houses are!

[@JM-mh1pp]

I know right... each time I see this I am like "damn so I am not even a slum guy"

[@heysemberthkingdom-brunel5041]

I'd rather have health insurance than a McMansion...

[@jacobwhitt-pittman7298]

they're cheap because they're old. Those types of homes in new orleans are pretty big for the price but they're in crumbling states of disrepair.

[@jacobwhitt-pittman7298]

Also they're historically black neighborhoods, which are often left alone by government infrastructure projects. I think it's a great place to live though. Lots of culture.

[@noiamnotjohn3351]

Western European working class areas on average are a lot better off in real terms than American working class areas. Houses are just built slightly larger in general in the U.S, due to many historical reasons.

[@dflatt1783]

There are rings that go on the end of the paddle that will prevent a bath and you will tire less if you work on your technique :)

[@hollowhoagie6441]

His legs also looked cramped. Idk about you but I prefer to have my legs straight unless I'm trying to really get somewhere fast.

[@Chasmodius]

I think you'll find that Bienville wasn't particularly skilled with a modern kayak, either. Check your sources! :P

[@dflatt1783]

@@hollowhoagie6441 Maybe he just wants his feet all over the pedals to get that race car turn.

[@spo666tty]

Although colonial era America is interwoven with the history of my country (UK) we really don’t learn much about it here. I don’t think it’s as much sour grapes as it is it’s just something you have to explicitly study in higher education. Either way, I’m hooked. Another great one from Atun-Shei Films!

[@richmcgee434]

17:40 Did he just seriously consider drinking wine he found under a bridge? And after he likened the river to a continental urethra? :)

[@FlyngSnoopy]

Love the choice of French Baroque music!

[@sbmcmull]

What's the names of those bangin' tunes?

[@FlyngSnoopy]

@@sbmcmull I got my French composers crossed. It's Jean Baptiste Lully's Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs.

[@rithvikmuthyalapati9754]

The one dislike was probably from a Spaniard

[@BelleroseQC]

Bastards!

[@gameoflife9576]

Or an Englishman .

[@erickahernadez2527]

Or a german

[@ssach7]

As a colonizer from the Spanish colony of the General Captaincy of New Andalusia, I actually liked the video

[@hambone4984]

9, guess they went and got some friends

[@communistsharks6889]

Hi! I'm an MA student focusing on the Illinois Country (Upper Louisiana, near modern St. Louis), and there's one key piece of information as to why New Orleans didn't fail that I think should be added to this discussion -- Illinois Country agriculture. By the 1710s, the IC was sending around a hundred thousand livres of wheat to New Orleans a year, along with pork, salt, buffalo meat and wool, etc., which were essential to the colony's survival. This shot up to 800 000 livres of flour in the 1740s. As you mentioned, the land in the area is very wet, and not at all suitable for grain crops (apart from rice and some varieties of corn, which French colonials didn't like so they reserved that largely for the enslaved Africans), so IC flour was super important for relief, especially when things got flooded. It also freed up land for cash crop plantations, which became increasingly important as we creep toward the Seven Years' War later on in the century. I'd also add the importance of the religious community in the founding of New Orleans and allowing it to continue existing. Emily Clark's "Masterless Mistresses" (fascinating book, can't recommend it enough) notes that the city would not have survived without their communal labour -- education and health care in particular were their domain. They provided much-needed relief for people who were suffering during bad years (like the IC). I know this was largely framed as a study of Bienville, which is a valid historical approach, obviously. I just wanted to add more to the conversation. I have soso many thoughts on New Orleans and the way that it functioned as this odd liminal space between the French West Indies and French North America.

[@waxblast7528]

As a student of history, it's easy to recognize you as legitimate. You're not arguing, just adding to what's known and said and making it easier for people to get a real historical understanding. It's a synthesis. Thank you

[@localroger]

Having viewed nearly every part of Bayou St. John and walked nearly all of those streets, it never occurred to me that they could be put together to make this particular and so important historical journey. I have lived in NOLA all my life and I learned something today.

[@mondomendez5165]

As a Detroiter, it’s amazing seeing a New Orleans founding so well explained from beginning, with its mixture of French, Spanish, Native, and English cultures. Even mentioning the founder of Detroit as part of New Orleans story, makes me wonder how the history of my city compares in its similarities and difference that make it what it is today. Always wondered how parts of Michigan would have turned out different if it had stayed slightly more French in culture even a bit longer. Makes me hope I’ll be able to see such a project done for my city in a similar matter.

[@HomemadeSubmarine]

It was cool hearing my own city of Mobile included in the story, even as a brief aside. We tend to be the older, more forgotten sister city of New Orleans

[@kmaher1424]

With the older Mardi Gras?

[@HomemadeSubmarine]

Definitely. You will never encounter a Mobilian that doesn’t tell you where Mardi Gras originated.

[@crazylegz324]

Lol I got excited he mentioned Baton Rouge too and gave a little history, but I really don’t mind taking a back seat to New Orleans. There’s no place on earth like it.

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

Sweet home alabama

[@adamtrott78]

Holy shit my guy, 2 well produced vids over 30 mins in the span of 3 weeks? You’re spoiling me!

[@wh8787]

"Y'know Bienville didn't have sunglasses!?" Love it.

[@Gixwing]

I'm impressed by the audio quality, seriously, how did you get such a good recording while paddling down the bayou?

[@MissJocelynne]

Using Lully's pretty awesome "marche turcs", only to remix it with an electric guitar, is a madmen move and another reason I look forward to this channel's updates.

[@yochanantremain7302]

New Orleans, Metacomet, & the Civil War are the pillars upon which this channel is lofted

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

Rebel spite as well

[@andreathomas2099]

bravo l'effort mis en cela est à féliciter... merci d'avoir expliqué la maison "d'adoption" de mon père et de mes ancêtres... bravo (avec bouteille mystère) et merci.... well done the effort put into this is to be congratulated... thank you for explaining the "adopted" home of my father and ancestors...cheers (with mystery bottle) and thank you....

[@GrandPoobahRevvi]

You know, as someone who writes a very convincing satire of ContraPoints in Frozen 50’s Man, you really make me appreciate your intro of an individual in a lush whig, a laced linen shirt, sitting in a candle lit room narrating niche topic of personal interest with flowery poetic language ❤️

[@kmaher1424]

Philosophy Tube was also...satirized? Or did we see tributes to (other) channels that use theatrical and humorous techniques to communicate information?

[@bonniea8189]

@@kmaher1424 Yeah in only remembering PhilosophyTube, not ContraPoints. But maybe I've forgotten (despite watching it 3 times)

[@kmacthebest]

Love the Jean Baptist Lully’s playing in the background “LWV: 43 - Marche Pour la Ceremonie des Turcs”. Being that this is an English keyboard, I can’t put accents on the es in ceremonie. Lully was the Court Composure for King Louis XIV and died by hitting himself in the leg with a staff the directors used to conduct orchestras.

[@Adroid19]

I picked up "Accidental City" by Powell back in New Orleans a couple years ago. It was a great book! Even got it at Faulkner Books on Pirate Alley. Great video as always.

[@cjmarsh504]

I will pick that book up soon

[@friedrichnietzsche7376]

10:56 imagine minding your own business on that bridge and hearing that form under you and then you see Bienvile himself sailing out form under the bridge in to the sunset talking to himself about himself. That would just make my day.

[@leflanged2707]

I really appreciate your use of music by Jean-Baptiste Lully, and some modern adaptations of it. I can’t wait to listen to some of it in the next OST drop!

[@pierren___]

Yeah. Hope he will do The Royal Hymns too

[@dainn0668]

Marche pour la ceremonie des turcs to be exact

[@whitemountain_]

I wish I could give this video as many likes as versions of "Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs" you found. Great work as always, Andy. Wonderful idea wonderfully executed.

[@mmmsmashing8071]

This is actually a pretty way to talk and show the history of whatever topic you're talking about. To visually see the history as it's talked about. I hope you do more of that! Maybe a series?

[@GryphonWahle]

I moved here back in September, and to say I love this place falls short of how I feel. I read Empire of Sin by Gary Krist, which outlines the Battle of New Orleans from around 1880-1930 and learned a lot of history from that and want to learn more. This was phenomenal! I've already been everywhere you went along Bienville's path, seen those signs, and now know so much more, and want to learn so much more! That shot of you walking past the "New Orleans

[@francogiobbimontesanti3826]

New Orleans is such an amazing city, and really underrated. It’s easily the most beautiful city in the states. And the third most beautiful city in the whole of the Americas after Rio and Buenos Aires.

[@johnstamos6299]

The canoe part really made me feel like I’m on a tour. Quite beautiful

[@McNubbys]

The name for Louisiana in RDR2 makes so much more since, thank you for this😊

[@112steinway]

For anyone who might be curious, the music being played over the video is Jean Baptiste Lully's "marche pour la ceremonie des turcs" or "March for the ceremony of the Turks".

[@MikeRutherfordNLN]

I grew up in Metairie, and moved away in 91 before entering High School. I've learned more local history from you then I ever did in school. One day I want to come back to see the ole stomping grounds, and if I run into you I promise to be awkward AF.

[@pierrenavaille4748]

We had Louisiana history in 8th grade, back in the early 70s.

[@theknifesong]

Love this, I'm also a tour guide in New Orleans 7:25 LOL after the Norman C. Francis change

[@altforauditions9279]

"That river was the urethra of the continent" had such a good delivery

[@wanderinghistorian]

Atun-Shei, you're an unreasonably fun person.

[@maninredhelm]

*_"The Old Portage. Weah frickin' heah, brah."_* Good of you to bring some Boston to the Bayou. I bet you could do a video similar to this in Boston and nobody would even make eye contact with you, let alone want to chat. Just one of those little cultural differences.

[@moosemaimer]

Guarantee some drunk guy would pull a flag off a building and chase him with it. Yelling something incomprehensible about the Leafs.

[@thedamnyankee1]

Boston is a WICKED historic city. They have two replica ship so tourists can dump tea in the harbah. Period costume tours are common AF. If he did that in boston no one would comment because its not freaking weird in Boston.

[@509Gman]

Everything I know about Boston came from Fallout 4

[@Chasmodius]

@@509Gman and even in Fallout 4, there are people wandering around Boston in colonial period costume! Or at least one robot...

[@megelizabeth9492]

Yeah, in the summer, it's not uncommon to see fully costumed living history performers in at line at Chipotle or something.

[@kmaher1424]

Great information. (And part of the next soundtrack album?) The picture you posted earlier reminded me of poor LaSalle, looking for the Mississippi from the other end. One of his ships and the ruins of his fort on Matagorda Bay have been excavated by Texas archaeologists. The expedition he died on was apparently a bloodbath; his was not the only murder. The settlers left in Texas succumbed to starvation, disease and Karankawas. Who adopted some French children later "rescued" by the Spanish. This utter fiasco made Spain pay more attention to Texas...

[@bradpotts1747]

13:27 i hear "Cadillac went up and down the valley looking for mimes" this is so vivid a picture i choose this history over any other

[@cocindaucocindau354]

Me: Getting dressed as a Soviet Sergent on the Victory day to honor my great Grandfather in SOUTHER Germany, were there was no actual war or Movement of Allied Troops until the very last days of the War in Europe because i just wanted to experience how is to be dressed in full battle Uniform for a day and to experience the life of those Heroes VS Atun-Shei Films, a mad lad doing this nearly every day and even going with a Flag and a boat to experience the past in full Historical dress with Sun glasses!

[@pinnacleoflouisianascience6925]

Have you considered doing a video about the large and ongoing mafia presence in New Orleans? I feel like it's always an overlooked part of American crime history and almost never mentioned in popular mob movies.

[@jacksonlarson6099]

Indeed, the lynching of eleven Italians in New Orleans in 1891 (a terrible event) actually introduced the word "mafia" to the American lexicon.

[@aderek79]

34:08 "Yea, I think I'm gunna go get drunk now." There goes a true historical recreationist.

[@sojetzterstmaleinkommentar9355]

FINALLY A NEW VIDEO

[@Waldzkrieger]

As someone who is also super interested in local history, I love your New Orleans videos. Up here in North Carolina, we have some pretty great historical stuff in New Bern and Wilmington, but nothing quite like they have down in NOLA.

[@dylanthechillinvillain2488]

Dang Atun, good episode!

[@TheGuardingDark_]

The absolute commitment to the bit. And the discomfort that must come from that commitment. Is something that can only come from a theater kid. Bravo.

[@7bootzy]

It was so much fun to hop on Google Maps and track your journey through town, identifying landmarks as you passed them!

[@mmcgrath2510]

2:44 *the urethra of the continent* why 😭

[@TheFranchiseCA]

He's just taking the piss out of you.

[@Asmallcorneroftheinternet]

The saddest thing is that I learned more about American-Lousiana's history. Then I ever will in a legitimate history class.

[@newman6434]

to be fair, anyone who watches this video, wants to

[@jacksonlarson6099]

@@newman6434 Exactly. This is a video about a specific point in history that you have to go out of your way to watch. I can't stand this kind of comment.

[@ladymaiden2308]

It's not sad, more effort goes into this because it's his specialty and his passion. He Is very talented and also motivated. History class may not be either of those things for the teacher teaching it.

[@Adamdidit]

I'm sure if your history teachers were allowed to hop in a kayak and drink and hike and explain the historical significant of places along the way, many of them would have.

[@andygossard4293]

"What are you doing?", kayaking the bayou. "Same as you, just not as fashionably dressed."

[@Zardox2]

😂 Just saw this for the first time... Great job! I will recommend this video to my tour guests, as I can't get as deep during my short tours. But, Kudos! Nice job A.R.!

[@thomasdavis8117]

I appreciated the use of period accurate French baroque music. Very nice touch.

[@boolosboi7503]

Been waiting for someone to make a video on Bennie-V. Luckily, it happened to the best someone.

[@509Gman]

That pause after “huge tract of land” killed me 🤣

[@icaricc]

This was a perfect rewatch on my flight to New Orleans, bravo!

[@Rocketboy1313]

What a fun concept for a video. Also good wide shots on the kayaking.

[@davidl6558]

A new video so soon after Frozen '50s Man? Doth my eyes deceive me??

[@ChrisCaramia]

Frozen 1750s Man!