How Kansas Became a State

Kansas is a state located in the Midwestern United States, and is known for its expansive prairies and agricultural production. It has a long and fascinating history, which is closely linked to the history of the United States as a whole. This article will explore the history of Kansas, from its early days as part of the Louisiana Purchase to its eventual admission to the Union as the 34th state. It will also look at the events and people who helped shape Kansas into the state it is today. From the early Native American tribes to the settlers who moved west in search of a better life, the story of Kansas is an important part of American history.

Pre-Statehood

Pre-European Settlement

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area that is now Kansas was inhabited by a variety of Native American tribes. These tribes included the Pawnee, Wichita, Osage, Kansa, and many others. The land was a vast expanse of prairies, rivers, and forests, and the Native Americans who lived there relied on the land for their sustenance. They hunted and gathered food, and also farmed and raised livestock. They also traded with other tribes and with Europeans, exchanging goods and services.

European Exploration

The first Europeans to explore the area now known as Kansas were Spanish explorers in the late 1600s. They were followed by French explorers in the 1700s, who were looking for a route to the Pacific Ocean. The French established trading posts and forts in the area, and the Spanish also had a presence in the region. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase brought the area under American control, and the United States began to explore and settle the area. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act opened the area to settlement by Americans, and the process of statehood began.

Territorial Period

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a major event in the history of Kansas becoming a state. This act allowed the residents of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. This act was a major factor in the creation of the Republican Party, as it was the first major political party to oppose the expansion of slavery into the territories. The Kansas-Nebraska Act also led to the creation of the Kansas Territory in 1854, which was the first step in the process of Kansas becoming a state.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a major event in the history of Kansas becoming a state. This act allowed the residents of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. This act was a major factor in the creation of the Republican Party, as it was the first major political party to oppose the expansion of slavery into the territories. The Kansas-Nebraska Act also led to the creation of the Kansas Territory in 1854, which was the first step in the process of Kansas becoming a state. The act also resulted in a huge influx of settlers into the Kansas Territory, as many people wanted to be a part of the decision-making process regarding slavery. This influx of settlers led to a period of intense political and social conflict in the Kansas Territory, which became known as "Bleeding Kansas".

Bleeding Kansas

The period of intense political and social conflict in the Kansas Territory, which became known as "Bleeding Kansas", was a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This conflict was largely between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, and it resulted in a number of violent clashes between the two sides. This period of conflict was incredibly important in the history of Kansas becoming a state, as it demonstrated the strength of the anti-slavery movement in the territory. This period of conflict also led to the creation of the Free-State Party, which was a major political force in the territory and was instrumental in the process of Kansas becoming a state. The Free-State Party was a major proponent of Kansas becoming a free state, and it was successful in its efforts to make this a reality.

Statehood

Kansas Constitution

In order to become a state, Kansas needed to create a state constitution. On October 4, 1859, the Kansas Constitutional Convention met in Wyandotte, Kansas, to draft a state constitution. The convention was made up of delegates from all across the state, including some from the Native American tribes in the region. The convention lasted for three months and produced a document that was approved by the people of Kansas in a referendum on October 4, 1859. The constitution was a progressive document, with provisions for public education, the protection of civil rights, and the establishment of a state government.

Admission to the Union

After the Kansas Constitution was approved, the state needed to be admitted to the Union. On January 29, 1861, the United States Congress passed the Kansas Admission Act, which officially made Kansas the 34th state in the Union. The act also provided for the establishment of a state government and the election of a governor and other state officials. On January 29, 1861, Kansas officially became a state, and the state government was established.

The admission of Kansas to the Union was a major milestone in the history of the United States. Kansas was the first state to be admitted to the Union after the start of the Civil War, and it was the first state to be admitted to the Union with a free-state constitution. The admission of Kansas to the Union was a major victory for the forces of freedom and democracy in the United States.