Arizona History Timeline

ARIZONA HISTORY TIMELINE OVERVIEW

Arizona has an exciting history. The state has been inhabited for thousands of years. The Hohokams of Arizona had the earliest North American civilization. The Spaniards explored the southwest 80 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. People of many origins and races have contributed to our rich heritage. Looking back on history teaches us that things are always changing. Knowledge of Arizona history helps us see where we came from, where we have been, where we currently are, and where we might go. As we continue our mini-unit on Arizona history, please refer back to this timeline as a reference point.

1. Indians lived in what is now Arizona 11,000 years ago  Hunters first came from Asia over the Bering Straight  The first Indians found Arizona cooler and wetter than it is today. Land, that is now desert was covered with dense vegetation, lakes and streams. Thick grass supported a variety of big animals, like mammoths (prehistoric elephants which stood as high as 13 feet!)  These nomadic Indians are often referred as “elephant hunters”  Eventually, as the ice melted, Arizona’s climate gradually dried up. This also caused the decrease of many species, including mammoths.  In about 2,000 BC, the Arizona Indians learned how to survive through agriculture. They became sedentary and started to farm grains, nuts, and corn. 2. Three main pre-historic Indian groups  Hohokams – occupied river valleys in the southern desert (ruins remain in Casa Grande)  Anasazi – lived in the plateaus & cliffs of the Four Corners area  Mongollon/Cochise – resided in the mountains along the NM/AZ border 3. In the 1500’s, Spanish expeditions, sent from Mexico, explored the area of Arizona  Within 50 years after Columbus stumbled on the New World, the king of Spain claimed all the land from California to Florida.  For nearly 300 years, the Spaniards were the only Europeans to have contact with Native Americans in Arizona.  After conquering most of Mexico, Spanish explorers were lured north by tales of rich cities. They wanted to find gold, covert the natives to Christianity, and expand the territory of “New Spain.”  Marcos de Niza was selected to head an expedition. He was supposed to focus on the lands north of Mexico in order to find the rumored riches.  In 1540, Francisco Coronado led an expedition across Arizona. He used de Niza as his guide.  The Spanish explorers ran into countless conflicts with the Native Americans. Each felt they were entitled to own the land. Even though they failed to find riches, Coronado gained knowledge of southwestern geography and descriptions of the indigenous populations.  Montezuma’s Castle 4. In 1687, Father Eusebio Kino became Arizona’s first successful missionary.  One of the most important people in Arizona’s history: priest, explorer, rancher, astronomer, map maker, defender of the frontier  He joined the Jesuit priests and was appointed to be a missionary to the Pimas.  Kino also started the stock raising industry in Arizona. He started cattle herds at each of his missions, and also raised grain.  Formed many missions, the biggest was San Xavier del Bac 5. Conflict with Natives  Spanish authorities in Mexico established multiple settlements, missionaries, soldiers, laborers, families  Began to claim Indian land and use it as their own  Conflicts caused Spaniards to adopt a new policy. Their new priority was to conquer indigenous groups; especially the Apache Indians.  In 1776, they established two presidios (military post under Spanish control): Tubac and Tucson. Supposed to provide defense against Apaches, protect San Xavier, and guard the route to California. 6. End of Spanish Rule (1821)  Government’s goal was to make the Indians dependent on the Spaniards – rationed food, drink, homes, and weapons. Also implemented programs to weaken their native culture.  Settlements of Southern AZ began to prosper from gold & silver mines, ranchers, cattle, stockyards. Tucson became the center of population with 1,015 residents. Most people were engaged in farming and livestock.  Mexico achieved their independence from Spain in 1821. Now the southwestern region of the US (including AZ) was under control of the Mexican government. 7. Mexican-American War  By the 1840’s one thing was clear: the U.S. was about to extend its western boundary all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The desire of American expansionists caused the U.S. to go to war with Mexico on May 12, 1846.  The focus of the American military included: protecting profitable trade, getting the Native Americans to join their side, conquering populated cities (like Tucson!) and creating military forts/headquarters (one was San Xavier!)  Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: September 14, 1847; Mexico gave up claims of Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, and Arizona north of the Gila River. The war forced Mexico to sell this territory for $15 million. They also agreed to pay Mexico’s debts to American citizens – nearly $3,250,000!  Gadsden Purchase: June 30, 1854; A second Mexican-American War almost erupted over the remaining territory in southern AZ and NM. Both the US and Mexico claimed ownership of this strip of land. A compromise was reached: the territory was reduced by 9,000 miles and the U.S. bought it for $10 million  Mexican soldiers remained in Tucson until 1856 8. Arizona as a territory  Arizona had almost no government in the 1850’s, but made progress  Economic progress made by pioneers – miners, ranchers, merchants, surveyors, stage drivers, road builders, and soldiers  Southern AZ was important to the transcontinental railroad/ Gold Rush & Steamboats delivered supplies through the Colorado River  Gila City & Yuma has mini gold rushes of their own  The two biggest population centers were Tubac and Tucson  Mining brought Tucson growth and was also the link to trade between Sonora and the Southwest  Relations worsen with Apaches (Geronimo) and conflict with Cochise (NA chief) 9. Arizona in the Civil War (3 main trends)  Struggle between North and South for control of Southwest (Confederate President Davis wanted to annex territory)  Conflict between Natives and white settlers (Natives tried to take advantage of the war as a time to reclaim territory, but were killed by both union and confederate troops or forced onto reservations – especially the Navajo)  Beginning of a territorial government (first controlled by Confederates in 1862; later by the Union)  Some vigilantes took the government into their own hands – leads to Wild Wild West and Gun Fights  Growth of rural cities, like Tombstone  Battle of Picacho Peak: remaining Confederates escape to Tucson  Battle of Apache Pass: biggest AZ battle of the Civil War; high death rates of Confederates, Navajo, and Apache  After the Civil War, Arizona has an economic boom because of agriculture, trade, mining, & cattle (capital moved to Phoenix in 1899)  Establishment of state universities & state prisons 10. Arizona Statehood  Progressive movement spread to Arizona in the early 1900’s: they fought for regulation of railroads, direct elections, working conditions in mines, conservation of public land  Constitutional Convention met in Phoenix on October 10, 1910: voted against segregation, set up AZ government & elected public officials  Arizona was officially admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912 11. Arizona in the 20th century  US border issues start after the Mexican Revolution in 1910  In 1917, Arizona contributes a large amount of soldiers to fight in WWI  WWI stimulated ranching, cotton and copper industries  Arizona moves towards a more conservative government, trend of Republicans  In the 1930’s the Great Depression caused a downfall in mining and farming  FDR’s “New Deal” programs brought work to thousands of people in Arizona  During WWII, the U.S.S. Arizona was sunk at Pearl Harbor, men and women served on the war front, soldiers were trained at Air Force Bases ( Davis-Montham), Navajo code talkers contributed to victory, Japanese- Americans were forced to relocate, POW camps in Papago and Yuma, boost in manufacturing 12. Modern Arizona  After WWII, Arizona shifted towards manufacturing and urbanization  Conservation movements for state parks and water supply (Grand Canyon & Canyon del Chelly)  Equality movements spread across the state: blacks, natives, women, Hispanics  Largest Native American population compared to the other states