H is for History
Native Americans lived in Illinois before the Europeans came. There were twelve tribes living in Illinois including the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamaroa and the Michigamea tribes. They joined together to form a group or confederation. They were known as the Illini Confederation. They joined together for protection and to share resources. They lived off of the land. They farmed, hunted and fished to survive. They built homes in the prairies and in the woods. The Illini Indians lived in peace for many years.
The first Europeans to live in Illinois were French people. The French and the English were each trying to get as much new land as possible. They wanted to build empires and get rich. In 1673, the French explorer Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Father Jacques Marquette discovered Illinois. They were the first Europeans to travel on the upper Mississippi River. They were very excited about Illinois' rich soil, natural resources, flat lands and nice weather. Jolliet wanted to claim the land to build a strong empire for France. Father Marquette wanted to teach the Indians about Christianity. In 1699, French priests built Illinois' first permanent settlement in Cahokia. It is the oldest town in Illinois. Soon more French men came to Illinois. Another settlement was built in Kaskaskia. The French changed the way Native Americans lived.
France and Great Britain were rivals. Both countries were trying to build colonies to become rich and powerful. France and Great Britain fought over the colonies in the French and Indian Wars. The wars lasted nine years. Indians fought on both sides of the war. After the French and Indian War, Illinois became the property of Britain. France and Great Britain promised not to take Indian lands without permission. The promise did not last long.
Revolutionary War was fought when Britain's thirteen colonies declared their independence in 1776. Most of the fighting took place within the colonies, but one battle was fought in Illinois. After seven years of fighting, Americans won their independence. They named themselves The United States of America.
Illinois was part of the United States, but it was not a state. Virginia still claimed that it owned the land called Illinois. Eventually, Virginia gave the land to the U.S. government. The government made it an official territory. They named it the Northwest Territory. It included lands that would become the states if Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and part of Minnesota.
Illinois become a state in 1818. It was the 21st state to join the union. At that time, only the southern part of the territory was settled. Settlers did not build their homes on the prairies. They tried to settle close to forests and near rivers. They used the wood to build and needed water for drinking and transportation.
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