History of Kentucky

Although Kentucky had been inhabited by Nativeof the Union.
American peoples since prehistoric times, whenDuring the American Civil War (1861 to 1865),
white settlers began to first arrive in the mid 18thKentucky while loyal to the Union, found itself in a
century, there were no permanent Nativedifficult position as a border state. The state did
American settlements in the area. The territorynot secede and initially declared itself neutral.
was instead used as hunting grounds by theHowever the state was invaded by Confederate
Cherokees and Shawneesforces in September 1861, and the State
The first documented expedition to KentuckyLegislature responded by declaring its allegiance to
was by Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750, but the mostthe Union. During the war, southern
famous of the early explorers was Daniel Boonesympathesizers attempted to establish an
who visited the region on hunting expeditions inalternative state government (which was in fact
1767, 1769, 1771 and 1772, and in 1773 began therecognized by, and admitted into the
first attempt by British colonists to establish aConfederacy), and Kentucky contributed troops
settlement in Kentucky.to both the Union and Confederate armies.
Most of Kentucky was purchased from theFollowing the war, Kentucky, as a former slave
Native Americans in the treaties of 1768 andstate, was subject to military occupation and
1775, the latter coming after a brief warReconstruction. During this period, the Ku Klux
(Dunmore's War) between the Shawnee and theKlan became active in the state.
colonists. During the American Revolution (1775 toIn the first half of the 20th century, Kentucky
1783), there were relatively few white settlers inbegan to industrialize with the establishment of a
the region, and the Shawnee allied with the Britishcoal mining industry, the creation of roads to
in an attempt to drive them out.accommodate automobiles, and the building of the
The Kentucky settlements were originally parts ofKentucky Dam on the Tennessee River.
Virginia, but following the American RevolutionIndustrialization was further boosted during World
(1775 to 1783), the residents petitioned forWar II, with Ford's Louisville plant producing more
separation from Virginia. Agreement on the termsthan 100,000 jeeps, and the growth of the
of separation was reach in 1790, and on June 1startificial rubber industry and establishment of an
1792, Kentucky was admitted as the 15th stateordinance plant (both also in Louisville).