Mississippi officially became a state in December of 1917; however it had been explored for many years prior. The first settlers in Mississippi were Native Americans. Some of the more popular tribes in Mississippi were the Natchez, Choctaws, and Chickasaws; however, the white settlers moving in did not approve of the Indians. (Lecture Notes 9/2) It was said, “The province of Louisiana will never be tranquil until the Chickasaws have been destroyed or until they have been obliged to go and settle outside the lands of the province.”(Etienne De Périer, 31.) From 1673 until 1763 the future state of Mississippi was part of the French colony of Louisiana. Men such as Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were explorers in Mississippi. These two in
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In 1783 Spain closed down the port of New Orleans refusing to allow the United States to use it which made life much harder for people. Don Manuel de Gayoso was ruler over the territory in Natchez. He was a very influential governor who attempted to make Natchez flourish. To encourage settlement he gave out land grants with the requirements that one clears their own land and plant crops. Spain eventually lost control of Natchez after a war with France. (Lecture Notes 9/9) In 1795 Thomas Pinckney decided to negotiate the Treaty of San Lorenzo with Spain. With this treaty, Spain agreed to the 31 degree boundary from the Treaty of Paris. The United States and Spain both agreed to share the Mississippi River. The people living within Mississippi were now officially Americans. (Lecture Notes 9/11) The Natchez trace, which connected from Natchez to Nashville, was the first road in Mississippi. Many people would sail their boat down to Natchez, sell their belongings, and then walk back to Nashville down the Trace. (Lecture Notes 9/9) Natchez wasn’t the only place growing, other towns in Mississippi were flourishing with people moving in with hopes to prosper. Many white settlers rushed to occupy and purchase land in Mississippi with dreams of economic success. (Antebellum White Society,
In 1783 Spain closed down the port of New Orleans refusing to allow the United States to use it which made life much harder for people. Don Manuel de Gayoso was ruler over the territory in Natchez. He was a very influential governor who attempted to make Natchez flourish. To encourage settlement he gave out land grants with the requirements that one clears their own land and plant crops. Spain eventually lost control of Natchez after a war with France. (Lecture Notes 9/9) In 1795 Thomas Pinckney decided to negotiate the Treaty of San Lorenzo with Spain. With this treaty, Spain agreed to the 31 degree boundary from the Treaty of Paris. The United States and Spain both agreed to share the Mississippi River. The people living within Mississippi were now officially Americans. (Lecture Notes 9/11) The Natchez trace, which connected from Natchez to Nashville, was the first road in Mississippi. Many people would sail their boat down to Natchez, sell their belongings, and then walk back to Nashville down the Trace. (Lecture Notes 9/9) Natchez wasn’t the only place growing, other towns in Mississippi were flourishing with people moving in with hopes to prosper. Many white settlers rushed to occupy and purchase land in Mississippi with dreams of economic success. (Antebellum White Society,