The history of Arkansas is rich and diverse, dating back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples who lived in the region. The state was first explored by Europeans in the late 1600s, but it was not until the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 that it became part of the United States. Over the next several decades, Arkansas was a frontier state, with settlers moving into the region and establishing farms, towns, and businesses.

 

In 1836, Arkansas was admitted to the Union as the 25th state. In 1861, it became one of the last states to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America. During the Civil War, Arkansas was the site of several important battles, including the Battle of Pea Ridge and the Battle of Helena. After the war, Arkansas struggled with the challenges of Reconstruction, but by the late 1800s, it had emerged as a major agricultural state, with cotton and rice being among its leading crops.

In the 20th century, Arkansas underwent a period of rapid change and growth. During the Great Depression, the state's economy was hit hard, but it rebounded during World War II, as defense spending and migration to the state brought new prosperity. In the decades that followed, Arkansas continued to grow and evolve, with the rise of industry and the growth of cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville. In 1962, Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wal-Mart would become one of the largest companies in the world by the turn of the century.

For much of the 20th century, Arkansas was a battleground in the quest for Civil Rights. In 1957, The Little Rock Nine, nine African American students, attempted to integrate Little Rock Central High School, leading to a nationwide crisis, and a seminal moment in the Civil Rights movement. Fourteen years later, however, Arkansas would become the first state in the South to fully integrate its schools. In 1992, Arkansas former governor Bill Clinton became America's 42nd president.

Discussion Questions

1. Who were the first people to live in Arkansas?
2. Why was the year 1836 important for Arkansas?
3. What happened in Little Rock in 1957?
4. How did World War II help Arkansas grow?

Glossary

• Louisiana Purchase: A large land deal in 1803 that made Arkansas part of the U.S.
• Confederate States: The southern states that broke away from the U.S. during the Civil War.
• Reconstruction: The time after the Civil War when the South rebuilt and made changes to its laws.
• Little Rock Nine: Nine Black students who helped end school segregation in Arkansas.
• Integration: Bringing people of different races together, especially in schools and public places.