<P> The first European settlement in Arkansas was Arkansas Post , established in 1686 by Henri De Tonti . The post disbanded for unknown reasons in 1699 but was reestablished in 1721 in the same location . Located slightly upriver from the confluence of the Arkansas River and Mississippi River , the remote post was a center of trade and home base for fur trappers in the region to trade their wares . The French settlers mingled and in some cases even intermarried with Quapaw natives , sharing a dislike of English and Chickasaw , who were allies at the time . A moratorium on furs imposed by Canada severely affected the post 's economy , and many settlers began to move out of the Mississippi River Valley . Scottish banker John Law saw the struggling post and attempted to entice settlers to emigrate from Germany to start an agriculture settlement at Arkansas Post , but his efforts failed when Law - created Mississippi Bubble burst in 1720 . The French maintained the post throughout this time mostly due to its strategic significance along the Mississippi River . The post was moved back further from the Mississippi River in 1749 after the English with their Chickasaw allies attacked , it was moved downriver in 1756 to be closer to a Qua - paw defensive line that had been established , and to serve , as an repent , or trading post , during the Seven Years ' War and prevent attacks from the Spanish along the Mississippi . After the war ended , the post was again moved upriver out of the floodplain in 1779 . </P>
<P> The first European settlement in Arkansas was Arkansas Post , established in 1686 by Henri De Tonti . The post disbanded for unknown reasons in 1699 but was reestablished in 1721 in the same location . Located slightly upriver from the confluence of the Arkansas River and Mississippi River , the remote post was a center of trade and home base for fur trappers in the region to trade their wares . The French settlers mingled and in some cases even intermarried with Quapaw natives , sharing a dislike of English and Chickasaw , who were allies at the time . A moratorium on furs imposed by Canada severely affected the post 's economy , and many settlers began to move out of the Mississippi River Valley . Scottish banker John Law saw the struggling post and attempted to entice settlers to emigrate from Germany to start an agriculture settlement at Arkansas Post , but his efforts failed when Law - created Mississippi Bubble burst in 1720 . The French maintained the post throughout this time mostly due to its strategic significance along the Mississippi River . The post was moved back further from the Mississippi River in 1749 after the English with their Chickasaw allies attacked , it was moved downriver in 1756 to be closer to a Qua - paw defensive line that had been established , and to serve , as an repent , or trading post , during the Seven Years ' War and prevent attacks from the Spanish along the Mississippi . After the war ended , the post was again moved upriver out of the floodplain in 1779 . </P>
where did early settlers in arkansas come from
where did early settlers in arkansas come from
The French
The French