Cajun Cultures in Perspective Louisiana's colorful past has shaped the state's culturally diverse present. Its territory has had numerous claimants. The first was explorer Hernando de Soto on behalf of Spain in 1541, followed by Robert de la Salle of France and even the short-lived Republic of West Florida before it became the 18th state to join the Union in 1812. At the start of the Civil War, Louisiana became an independent republic for two weeks after seceding from the Union before joining the Confederacy.