History of Kansas

Kansas became the 34th state of the Unites States of America on January 29, 1861.

The history of Kansas dates back to 7,000 BC. It was inhabited by Natives as well as Asian migrants. These people settled in this region and hunted for their sustenance. Some of these people moved across the plains in search for better living. Those who did not abandon hunting survived on wild plants. Even after the advent of irrigation, wild food remained an important component of their diet.

Francisco V. de Coronado was the first European to visit the region in 1514. By the end of 18th century, the area was occupied by Kansa and Osage tribes. Kansa were dominant to the North of Kansas River, while Osage were dominant to the south of Arkansas River. Neither the French nor the Spanish established any settlement in this region. During the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Kansas became an unorganized territory of United States. Southwest Kansas still remained with Spain. The Mexican-American War of 1848 settled this dispute.

Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth was the first white settlement in the region. On May 30, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act became a law which established the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. Kansas became the 34th state on January 29,1861. It was a slave-free state. In 1863, William Quantrill and his men destroyed many parts of the city. Twenty-nine Confederate raids occurred in Kansas during the American Civil war. After the war, many people built homesteads in the state. In 1881, Kansas became the first American state to adopt a Constitutional amendment prohibiting all alcoholic drinks.

The 20th century saw many changes in Kansas. It was the center of the Progressive Movement, a middle class reform movement arising as a response to the changes brought by modernization. In 1925, the flag of Kansas was designed. The Great Depression along with the drought in the state affected the economy of the state. Kansas contributed in many ways during the Second World War. It provided food and thousands of servicemen. Wichita became an important manufacturing center for the aircraft industry.