:Illinois History: //a whirlwind tour//
After Cahokia Other native tribes inhabited Illinois Miami Potowatomee Peoria Illiniwek Not a single tribe, but a native word that means “men” or “people” The French pronounced it “Illinois” (ILL-in-WAH) Fox Chippewa
After Cahokia Illinois was eventually explored by two French missionaries (1673 CE) “Pere” Marquette Marquette University Hotel in Peoria Louis Joliet Town in northern Illinois They got along pretty well with natives
European colonization Illinois became a French territory from 1673- 1763 Part of Louisiana Territory Passed to British in 1763 Given to USA in 1783 Became part of “Northwest Territory”
Northwest Territory
Northwest territory Large area, small population NT Government In 1788, only 5,000 white male settlers (voting citizens) NT Government 1 governor House of Reps (22) Council (5) Slavery was outlawed, but settlers “owned” black indentured servants for up to 99 years
Statehood In 1818, Illinois became the 21st state US settlement began in south Cairo and Cahokia, IL (“Little Egypt”) “Southern culture” Passed laws to prohibit black settlers (1853) US settlers moved northward building towns driving natives away Chicago did not become largest city until 1857
Important illinoisans // mormons (1839-1846) Mormon settlers built Nauvoo, IL Trying to escape persecution Nauvoo was one of Illinois’ largest cities (12,000) Large stone temple was largest building in Illinois Mormon leader (Joseph Smith) was murdered in 1844 Brigham Young led most Nauvoo Mormons to Utah (then part of Mexico)
Important Illinoisans // Lincoln and civil war soldiers Abraham Lincoln began his career in Illinois Lawyer, state legislator, and finally POTUS Most divisive POTUS ever (caused Civil War!) Illinois sent 250,000 soldiers to Civil War 4th most of any Union state! 15% of population Illinois provided the top Union general, U.S. Grant