Missouri, located in the Midwestern region of the United States, has a history that spans thousands of years. The region was originally home to numerous indigenous tribes, including the Osage, Missouri, and Omaha. In the late 1700s, French and Spanish explorers and fur traders arrived in the area. Before it became a state, the famous American trailblazers Lewis and Clark started and ended their epic exploration of the American West in St. Louis along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In 1821, Missouri was granted statehood as part of the Missouri Compromise, and entered the Union as a slave state.

Throughout the 19th century, Missouri played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States, with the growth of the steamboat trade and the establishment of the town of Independence at the starting point of fthe Santa Fe and Oregon trails. The state was also a major player in the Civil War, with numerous battles fought on its soil and over 100,000 Missourians serving in the Confederate and Union armies. After the war, Missouri emerged as a major center for agriculture and industry, particularly in the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City.

Missouri was the birthplace of numerous prominent Americans including author Mark Twain, scientist George Washington Carver, and 33rd President Harry S. Truman.

Historic St. Louis

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Missouri important in the westward expansion of the United States?
2. What was the Missouri Compromise and how did it affect the state?
3. How did Missouri's role in the Civil War reflect its divided loyalties?
4. What contributions did Missourians like Mark Twain and Harry Truman make to American history?

Glossary

• Indigenous: Native to a place; the original people living in an area.
• Expedition: A journey made for a special reason, often for exploration.
• Compromise: A way to settle a disagreement in which each side gives something up.
• Slave state: A U.S. state where slavery was legal before the Civil War.
• Westward expansion: The movement of settlers and explorers to the western part of the United States.