History of West Virginia

 

History of West Virginia

Pre-Columbian Era

• The first known inhabitants of West Virginia were the Adena people, who arrived in the region around 1000 BC. The Adena were followed by the Hopewell people, who arrived around 200 BC.
• The Hopewell were a mound-building culture, and their mounds are still found throughout West Virginia. The Hopewell were also known for their elaborate pottery and artwork.
• Around 1000 AD, the Mississippian culture arrived in West Virginia. The Mississippians were a more complex society than the Adena and Hopewell, and they built large villages and fortified towns.

European Exploration and Colonization

• The first European to explore West Virginia was the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524. Verrazzano sailed along the coast of North America and claimed the land for France.
• In 1671, the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle explored the Ohio River Valley, which includes much of West Virginia. La Salle claimed the land for France and named it La Louisiane.
• In 1749, the British began to build forts in the Ohio River Valley in an attempt to claim the land for England. This led to the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
• At the end of the French and Indian War, England gained control of the Ohio River Valley, including West Virginia.

American Revolution and Early Statehood

• During the American Revolution (1775-1783), West Virginia was part of the state of Virginia.
• In 1776, Virginia declared its independence from Great Britain.
• In 1788, Virginia ratified the United States Constitution.
• In 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America.
• In 1863, a group of loyal Virginians formed the government of West Virginia and applied for admission to the Union.
• On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state in the Union.

Civil War and Reconstruction

• During the Civil War (1861-1865), West Virginia was a border state.
• The western part of the state was loyal to the Union, while the eastern part of the state was loyal to the Confederacy.
• West Virginia was the site of several important battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Rich Mountain and the Battle of Philippi.
• After the Civil War, West Virginia entered a period of Reconstruction.
• During Reconstruction, the state government was rebuilt and the state's economy began to recover.

Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

• In the late 19th century, West Virginia experienced a period of rapid economic growth.
• The state's coal industry boomed, and the state became a major center for railroad transportation.
• However, the state's economic growth came at a price.
• The coal industry was dangerous and exploitative, and many miners were killed or injured on the job.
• The state's rapid growth also led to environmental problems, such as deforestation and air pollution.

Great Depression and World War II

• The Great Depression hit West Virginia hard.
• The state's coal industry collapsed, and many miners lost their jobs.
• The Depression also led to a decline in the state's population.
• West Virginia played an important role in World War II.
• The state's coal industry was essential to the war effort, and the state's shipyards built ships for the Navy.

Civil Rights Movement and Late 20th Century

• In the 1950s and 1960s, West Virginia was a center of the Civil Rights Movement.
• African Americans in West Virginia faced discrimination in housing, employment, and education.
• In 1960, a group of African American students staged a sit-in at a lunch counter in Huntington.
• The sit-in inspired other protests throughout the state, and eventually led to the desegregation of public facilities in West Virginia.
• In the late 20th century, West Virginia's economy continued to diversify.
• The state's coal industry declined, but the state's tourism and manufacturing industries grew.

Conclusion

West Virginia has a rich and complex history. The state has played an important role in the history of the United States, and it continues to be a vibrant and diverse state today.