Missouri’s unique position at the crossroads of the American Midwest has shaped its identity for centuries. From the ancient mound-building societies that once flourished along the Mississippi River to the crucial role Missouri played in the nation’s westward expansion, the “Show-Me State” has been a stage for pivotal events that left a lasting imprint on U.S. history.
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Pre-Colonial and Early Exploration (Before 1800)Pre-Colonial and Early Exploration (Before 1800)
- Prehistoric Era (c. 900–1500)
- The region that is now Missouri was home to the Mississippian culture, known for constructing large earthen mounds and establishing complex societies along the Mississippi River.
- 1673
- French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet traveled along the Mississippi River, marking the first recorded European exploration of the region.
- 1682
- René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the vast Mississippi River Basin—including present-day Missouri—for France, naming it “Louisiana.”
- 1735
- Ste. Genevieve became the first permanent European settlement in Missouri, established primarily by French settlers for farming and fur trading.[1]
- 1762
- Spain gains control of Louisiana Territory.
- 1764
- St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau as a fur trading post on the western bank of the Mississippi River.
- 1763–1800
- Control of the region passed between France and Spain due to various treaties. Despite multiple shifts in sovereignty, French culture and influence remained dominant.
The Louisiana Purchase and Early Statehood (1800–1821)The Louisiana Purchase and Early Statehood (1800–1821)
- 1800
- Spain retroceded the Louisiana Territory to France under the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.
- 1803
- The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory (including Missouri) from France in the Louisiana Purchase, effectively doubling the size of the young nation.
- 1804–1806
- Meriwether Lewis and William Clark launched their legendary expedition from St. Louis to explore the new territories, forging a path to the Pacific.
- Territory of Louisiana formed; St. Louis designated as seat of government.
- 1812
- The Missouri Territory was officially created by the U.S. Congress, separating it from the Louisiana (later renamed the State of Louisiana).
- 1818–1820
- The question of Missouri’s admission as a slave state triggered national debate over the expansion of slavery.
- 1820
- The Missouri Compromise admitted Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state, maintaining the balance of power between free and slave states.
- August 10, 1821
- Missouri was admitted to the Union as the 24th state.
Early to Mid-19th Century (1820s–1850s)Early to Mid-19th Century (1820s–1850s)
- 1830s
- Tensions with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in western Missouri led to the so-called Mormon War (1838) and the forced expulsion of Mormon communities.
- 1837–1840s
- Increased migration along key trails (e.g., the Oregon Trail) with Missouri serving as a significant jumping-off point for westward expansion.
- 1849
- Cholera epidemic strikes St. Louis.
- 1851
- Groundbreaking for railroad to be built from St. Louis to Jefferson City and then West. 1854
- The Kansas-Nebraska Act increased regional tensions over slavery, making western Missouri a hotbed of conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas.”
- 1857
- Dred Scott v. Sandford: A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case originating in St. Louis ruled against enslaved man Dred Scott, intensifying national divisions over slavery.
Civil War and Reconstruction (1860s–1870s)Civil War and Reconstruction (1860s–1870s)
- 1861
- The Civil War began. Missouri, though officially a Union state, was bitterly divided, leading to violent confrontations and guerrilla warfare.
- Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson attempted to align Missouri with the Confederacy, but Unionist forces maintained control of the state government.
- 1862–1863
- Significant engagements included the Battle of Wilson’s Creek (1861) near Springfield and continued skirmishes between Confederate raiders and Union troops.
- Battle of Pea Ridge (1862) in Arkansas ended Confederate occupation of Missouri.
- 1865
- The Civil War ended. Missouri abolished slavery and began the slow process of Reconstruction and reintegration with the broader national framework.
- 1875
- Missouri adopted a new state constitution to reorganize and modernize the state’s governing structures following the turmoil of the war years.
Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century (1880s–1920s)Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century (1880s–1920s)
- 1870s–1880s
- Post-war railroad expansion spurred economic development, linking farming, mining, and manufacturing centers across the state.
- 1904
- St. Louis World’s Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition) and the 1904 Summer Olympics placed Missouri in the international spotlight, showcasing technological advances and cultural exhibits.
- Early 20th Century
- Rapid industrial growth in St. Louis and Kansas City. Emergence of Kansas City as a hub for jazz and blues music.
The Great Depression and World War II (1930s–1940s)The Great Depression and World War II (1930s–1940s)
- 1930s
- The Great Depression hit Missouri’s farming communities hard, leading to New Deal programs that aimed to rejuvenate agriculture and infrastructure.
- 1935
- Harry S. Truman, a native of Lamar, Missouri, was elected to the U.S. Senate, beginning his ascent to national prominence.
- 1944–1945
- During World War II, Missouri contributed soldiers, resources, and war production.
- Truman became Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt and assumed the presidency upon FDR’s death in 1945.
Postwar to Late 20th Century (1950s–1990s)Postwar to Late 20th Century (1950s–1990s)
- 1950s–1960s
- Missouri navigated civil rights challenges alongside the rest of the nation. Segregation policies in schools and public facilities gradually ended under legal and social pressure.
- 1970s
- Continued urban development in St. Louis and Kansas City. Expansion of interstate highways connected Missouri’s major cities with national networks.
- 1985
- Missouri v. Jenkins: A federal court case addressing desegregation in Kansas City’s public schools underscored ongoing challenges in educational equality.
- 1993
- The Great Flood of 1993 devastated regions along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, leading to significant infrastructure damage and prompting new flood control measures.
Early 21st Century to PresentEarly 21st Century to Present
- 2000s
- Missouri’s economy diversified, with growth in health care, technology, and service industries, especially around urban centers.
- 2014
- Ferguson unrest: The shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson sparked nationwide conversations about policing and racial justice.
References
- ↑ Community On the Mississippi. National Park Service