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The answer might surprise you – Kansas has been a state for over 150 years! Discover the history of Kansas and how it became a state in the United States.
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Kansas’ History as a Territory
Kansas was first settled by Native Americans over 12,000 years ago. The first Europeans to settle in the area were the French in the early 1700s. Kansas became a US territory in 1854 and was admitted as a state in 1861. Kansas has a rich history and has been an important part of the United States throughout its existence.
Kansas as part of the Louisiana Purchase
Kansas was initially part of the Louisiana Purchase, which was acquired by the United States from France in 1803. The Louisiana Purchase encompassed 828,000 square miles (2.14 million square kilometers) of land west of the Mississippi River and more than doubled the size of the United States. The western half of present-day Kansas was designated as part of the Louisiana Purchase, while the eastern half remained unorganized territory.
Kansas as part of Indian Territory
The first record of Kansas as part of the United States comes from the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Prior to that, the area was explored by Spanish and French explorers, but no attempt was made to settle the area until after the United States acquired it. In 1854, Kansas became a territory, and nine years later it was admitted to the Union as a state.
Kansas’ History as a State
Kansas became a state on January 29, 1861, after years of debate over the issue of slavery. The state had been part of the Louisiana Purchase and was originally settled by Native Americans. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 led to the establishment of Kansas as a territory, and the state was admitted to the Union after the Civil War.
Kansas’ Admission to the Union
Kansas was admitted as a state on January 29, 1861. Prior to statehood, the Kansas Territory was part of the Louisiana Purchase, which was acquired by the United States from France in 1803. The Kansas Territory was originally organized as part of the Missouri Territory in 1812 but became its own entity in 1821.
Kansas’ Post-Statehood History
After becoming a state, Kansas had a tumultuous history. The first capital of the state was moved from Pawnee to Shawnee because of concerns about attacks from Native Americans. In 1863, the capital was moved again to Leavenworth. During the American Civil War, Kansas was one of the main battlegrounds between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. After the war, the state became known as a center of abolitionism.
In 1881, the capital was moved to Topeka. The city of Wichita was founded in 1870 and rapidly grew to become an important cattle town. In 1915, oil was discovered in Kansas and the state rapidly developed into an important oil producer. In 1929, severe weather caused a major dust storm that led to the creation of theDust Bowl. This environmental disaster caused many residents to leave the state in search of better conditions elsewhere.
Today, Kansas is known for its agriculture and for being a major producer of wheat. The state is also home to several large cities, including Wichita, Kansas City, and Topeka.
