How Mississippi Became a State

The state of Mississippi is located in the southern United States and is bordered by the states of Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Mississippi is known for its rich cultural history, its diverse landscape, and its vibrant music scene. Mississippi became the 20th state of the United States on December 10, 1817, and has since become an integral part of the American landscape.

Pre-Statehood

Native American Tribes

Prior to Mississippi becoming a state, the area was inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez. These tribes had lived in the area for centuries, and had developed their own unique cultures and societies. The Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes were both part of the Muskogean language family, and had a matrilineal system of descent. The Natchez were a Mississippian culture, and had a complex political and social structure. All three tribes were known for their farming and hunting skills, and had developed complex trade networks with other Native American tribes in the region.

French and Spanish Rule

In the early 1700s, the French and Spanish began to colonize the area that would become Mississippi. The French were the first to arrive, and established the first permanent settlement in the area in 1716. They quickly began to expand their control over the region, and by the 1730s had established several trading posts and forts. The Spanish also began to establish settlements in the area, and by the 1760s had established a number of forts and trading posts. The French and Spanish both had a significant influence on the Native American tribes in the region, and the tribes were often caught in the middle of the two powers' conflicts.

Statehood

Secession and Civil War

In 1861, Mississippi was the second state to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America. This was a result of the growing tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. Mississippi was a slave state and wanted to protect their right to own slaves. The Civil War began shortly after Mississippi seceded and lasted for four years. During this time, Mississippi was heavily involved in the war and suffered many casualties. The state was also subjected to a number of military campaigns by Union forces. These campaigns caused significant damage to the state's infrastructure and economy. By the end of the war, Mississippi had lost over 10,000 soldiers and had suffered significant economic losses.

Ratification of the Constitution

After the Civil War ended in 1865, Mississippi was required to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in order to be readmitted to the Union. This amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Mississippi ratified the amendment in February of that year and was officially readmitted to the Union in June of 1865. In December of that same year, Mississippi ratified the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This was an important step in Mississippi's journey to becoming a state.

In 1868, Mississippi ratified the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted voting rights to African Americans. This was a major milestone for the state and was a sign of progress. After the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified, Mississippi was officially recognized as a state by the United States government. The state was admitted to the Union on February 7, 1817, making it the 20th state in the Union. This marked the official beginning of Mississippi's statehood.

Post-Statehood

Reconstruction and Jim Crow Laws

After Mississippi became a state in 1817, it experienced a period of Reconstruction, which lasted from 1865 to 1877. During this time, the federal government sought to rebuild the South and ensure civil rights for African Americans. However, the Reconstruction period was followed by a period of Jim Crow laws, which were enacted by the state legislature to enforce racial segregation and restrict the rights of African Americans. These laws included poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures designed to limit the political power of African Americans. These laws were in place until the mid-1960s, when the civil rights movement began to challenge them.

Civil Rights Movement

The civil rights movement in Mississippi began in the 1950s and continued through the 1960s. During this time, activists organized protests, sit-ins, and boycotts to challenge Jim Crow laws and fight for civil rights. The movement was led by leaders such as Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Amzie Moore, who worked to end segregation and discrimination in the state. The movement was successful in overturning Jim Crow laws and ensuring civil rights for African Americans in Mississippi. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was a major victory for the civil rights movement in Mississippi and throughout the country.