June 15, 1836 Arkansas Becomes a State

Arkansas spent many years changing hands from French control to Spanish control and back to French control before becoming part of the United States territories. Finally, on June 15, 1836, it became the twenty-fifth state in the Union. The military from Arkansas fought bravely in the War with Mexico, and again in the Civil War. In spite of the fact that Arkansas joined the Confederacy, there were still 15,000 troops sent to the Union forces, while approximately 50,000 were sent to the Confederate forces. It was truly a state divided. Famous people from Arkansas include General Douglas MacArthur, Mike Huckabee, Bear Bryant, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Dizzy Dean, and John Cross, Jr.

Look at the map of Arkansas below. Label the capital of Arkansas. Locate the cities of Fort Smith, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Hot Springs, and Helena and label them on the map. Now label the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains, Mount Magazine, Rich Mountain, Poteau Mountain, and Round Top Mountain. Also, locate Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Beaver Lake, White Oak Lake, Chicot Lake, the Mississippi River, the Arkansas River, Buffalo National River, Caddo River, the Little Red River, the North Fork River, and the Spring River and label them. Lastly, label the states that border Arkansas. When you have finished, move on to the timeline of Arkansas history on the next page and the research prompts that follow.

1541

1722

1797

1803

1804

1811

1819

1822

1826

1833

1836

1861

1888

1906

1915

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1921

1932

1990

2009

©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com 1. Arkansas becomes part of the Confederate States of America 2. With the Louisiana Purchase, present-day Arkansas becomes part of the United States 3. The first steam vessel to reach Little Rock, the Eagle, arrives 4. Tyson Foods builds its first processing plant in Springdale 5. Arkansas joins the Union as the twenty-fifth state 6. Citizens from Arkansas assemble for service in the First World War 7. Bernard de la Harpe travels to the area of Little Rock seeking precious metals 8. The Territory of Arkansas is created with the signing of an Act of Congress by President Monroe 9. Bauxite is first mined in Saline County 10. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery begins 11. The “Valley of the Vapors” is explored, which is present-day Hot Springs 12. Construction began on a state capitol in Little Rock 13. Hattie Caraway is the first woman elected to the United States Senate 14. Hernando de Soto explores the area of Arkansas, bringing the first Europeans to the area 15. Diamonds are discovered in Pike County, the first time diamonds are found in the United States 16. The present-day state capitol is completed 17. The Spanish naval outpost Campo del Esperanza is established in present-day Crittenden County 18. Arkansas’ first sawmill powered by steam begins operations in Helena 19. Oil is discovered near Smackover 20. Many are left homeless after the New Madrid earthquake hits

©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com Research Prompt #1 In 1717, a Scottish land speculator recruited French settlers for a colony he wanted to see built. He promised them a life of leisure because of gold and silver deposits in the area near the villages of the Quapaw. By 1721, workmen had arrived at the site of Arkansas Post, only to find it abandoned. What happened to the earlier settlers, and what did the new settlers do after arriving there? ______

©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com Research Prompt #2 In 1811, the area of New Madrid was hit with an earthquake, causing many to lose their homes. Where in Arkansas is New Madrid located? What were the circumstances for rebuilding? Has it been the site of other earthquakes?

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©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com Research Prompt #3 By 1931, the Great Depression had hit Arkansas, along with the rest of the nation. Almost half of the businesses that had been operating in 1929 were closed. The closures included 192 banks. How did Arkansas cope with the effects of the Great Depression? How did it grow and rebuild its economy again? ______

Hernando de Soto explores the area of Arkansas, bringing the first Europeans to the area 1541

Bernard de la Harpe travels to the area 1722 of Little Rock seeking precious metals The Spanish naval outpost Campo del Esperanza is established in present-day Crittenden County 1797

With the Louisiana Purchase, present-day 1803 Arkansas becomes part of the United States The “Valley of the Vapors” is explored, which is present-day Hot Springs 1804 Many are left homeless after the 1811 New Madrid earthquake hits The Territory of Arkansas is created with the signing of an Act of Congress by President Monroe 1819 The first steam vessel to reach 1822 Little Rock, the Eagle, arrives Arkansas’ first sawmill powered by steam begins operations in Helena 1826

Construction began on a state 1833 capitol in Little Rock

Arkansas joins the Union as the twenty-fifth state 1836

Arkansas becomes part of the 1861 Confederate States of America

Bauxite is first mined in Saline County 1888 Diamonds are discovered in Pike County, the first time diamonds are found in 1906 the United States

The present-day state capitol is completed 1915 Citizens from Arkansas assemble for 1917 service in the First World War

Oil is discovered near Smackover 1921 Hattie Caraway is the first woman 1932 elected to the United States Senate Tyson Foods builds its first processing plant in Springdale 1957