Final answer:
New Orleans' growth was hampered in the 18th century primarily by English competition and the Spanish occupation, as well as administrative reforms that provoked local discontent. Its rise to greater prominence came in the 19th century with the Louisiana Purchase and the economic boost from the cotton trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason New Orleans' growth was hampered during part of the 18th century was due to various geopolitical and administrative challenges. Notably, the English presence in North America posed a serious threat to New France, as wealthy farmers in English colonies were eager to expand into territories claimed by France, such as the Ohio River Valley. This led to friction and eventually violence in 1754.
Furthermore, Spanish occupation following the Seven Years' War influenced the region, including New Orleans, with lasting architectural legacies despite diminished French influence in the area. Additionally, the intendancy system imposed by the Bourbon monarchy, which triggered creole discontent due to the preferential treatment of peninsulares for political and military positions, also played a role in the limited growth during the Spanish period.
The strategic position and economic importance of New Orleans became more pronounced later in the 19th century, particularly after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and due to the cotton boom, steam-powered river traffic, and access to the Mississippi River. By this point, New Orleans was establishing itself as a critical economic hub and cultural melting pot, with a vibrant, diverse community noted by observers like Joseph Holt Ingraham in 1835.