|
Illinois History
|
|
Illinois
|
|
|
| |
Early History
|
|
Apart from the brief visit of the Scandinavians in the early
eleventh century, the Western Hemisphere remained unknown to Europe until Columbus's voyage in
1492. However, the native peoples of North and South America arrived from Asia long before, in a
series of migrations that began perhaps as early as forty thousand years ago across the land
bridge that connected Siberia and Alaska.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Illinois Early History
First Early Inhabitants of Illinois
Early history examines the archaeological record that tells the story of the first inhabitants of Illinois. Learn about the history and culture of the first inhabitants, and what lessons it might teach us about the early history of Illinois.
Illinois First Early Inhabitants
- 10,000 BC- 8000 BC - Paleo Indians roam the area, briefly occupying small camps in coniferous forests and subsisting on large game and wild plants.
- 8000 BC- 500 BC - Archaic period Indians inhabit deciduous forests in small groups, hunt deer and small game, weave baskets, and grind seeds with stones.
- 500 BC- AD 900 - Woodland culture Indians develop maize agriculture, build villages and burial mounds, invent the bow and arrow for hunting, and begin making pottery.
- 900- 1500 - Indians of the Mississippian culture improve agricultural methods, build temple mounds and large fortified villages. Most of the settlements are abandoned prior to the historic period.
Indians hunted in Illinois as far back as 5000 B.C. and today you can still view the remains of their civilization at places such as Chahokia Mounds - North America's largest and most valuable prehistoric earthwork relic.The earliest inhabitants of Illinois were the prehistoric Mound Builders. Dickson Mounds Indian Museum near Lewiston features special exhibits which chronicle the Indian's valuable place in Illinois history.
These groups of Native Americans left behind more than 10,000 temple and burial mounds throughout the state. Monk's Mound, near present-day Cahokia, is the largest prehistoric earthen structure in the United States.
Before white men entered the region, it was occupied by a group of six united tribes known as the Illiniwek or Illini, a native word meaning "superior men."The Illini consisted of the Cahokia, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, Moingwena, Peoria and Tamarosa tribes. They were all part of the Algonkian family.
Some of the other tribes that played a part in the state's early history were the Chippewa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Winnebago, Kickapoo, and Shawnee. In 1680, the Iroquois entered the region to attack the Illinois tribes. Many were killed in the conflict. By 1800 few Natives remained.
|
|
US History
|
|
|
Understanding history is empowering. An incident is but the furthest
ripple of an ever-expanding wave that may have started eddying outward hundreds of years ago. One
who has "insight" in history is able to harness the power of that wave's entire journey.
United States of America has an early history beginning
sometime prior to 15,000 years ago, as well as the past 200 years or so of rich and proud
history, which is relatively short compared to other countries and nations. From
Independence to the Civil War to the World Wars to the Cold War, we have a lot of things to
tell and things to be proud of.
|
|
|
| |
|
