Names of the Kentucky Indian Tribes
Until the arrival of the first white settlers Shawnee tribes from north and the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes from the south of the Cumberland river fought for control of the region. During this time, no one Indian nation held possession of the region that would eventually become Kentucky. There are many famous Native American tribes who played a part in the history of the state and whose tribal territories and homelands are located in the present day state of Kentucky. The names of the Kentucky tribes included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Mosopelea, Shawnee and Yuchi.
Fast Facts about the History of Kentucky Indians
The way of life and history of Kentucky Indians was dictated by the natural raw materials available in the State of Kentucky. The natural resources and materials available provided the food, clothing and houses of the Kentucky Indians. Fast facts about the history, culture and life of the State of Kentucky Indians. Discover facts and information about the history of the State of Kentucky Indians.
- Name of State: Kentucky
- Meaning of State name: Believed to be derived from the word “Kenta,” meaning “Field” or “Meadow.”
- Geography, Environment and Characteristics of the State of Kentucky: Mountains in the east; rounded hills in the north; Bluegrass, wooded rocky hillsides
- Culture adopted by Kentucky Indians: Southeast Cultural Group
- Languages: Muskogean
- Way of Life (Lifestyle): Hunter gatherers and hunter farmers
- Types of housing, homes or shelters: Asi Wattle and Daub houses
History Timeline of the Kentucky Indians
The history and the way of life of Kentucky Indians was profoundly affected by newcomers to the area. The indigenous people had occupied the land thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived. The Europeans brought with them new ideas, customs, religions, weapons, transport (the horse and the wheel), livestock (cattle and sheep) and disease which profoundly affected the history of the Native Indians. For a comprehensive History timeline regarding the early settlers and colonists refer to the Colonial America Time Period. The history of the State and of its Native American Indians is detailed in a simple History Timeline. This Kentucky Indian History Timeline provides a list detailing dates of conflicts, wars and battles involving Kentucky Indians and their history. We have also detailed major events in US history which impacted the history of the Kentucky Indians. Conflicts erupt durng the 1800's between settlers and Native Indians including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Mosopelea, Shawnee and Yuchi tribes. The Native Indians are gradually forced to cede their lands.
Kentucky History Timeline
History Timeline of the Native Indians of Kentucky
10,000 BC: Paleo-Indian Era (Stone Age culture) the earliest human inhabitants of America who lived in caves and were Nomadic hunters of large game including the Great Mammoth and giant bison.
7000 BC: Archaic Period in which people built basic shelters and made stone weapons and stone tools
1000 AD: Woodland Period including the Adena culture (mounds, a burial complex and ceremonial system. The Adena lived in a variety of locations, including: Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and parts of Pennsylvania and New York.) and Hopewell cultures
1000: Mississippian Culture established. This was the last of the mound-building cultures of North America in Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States
1739: Captain Charles de Longueuil explores Kentucky. The French claimed most of land, established trading posts with help of local Indian tribes
1750: Thomas Walker explores Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap
1751: Christopher Gist explores the region along the Ohio River
1754: 1754 - 1763: The French Indian War is won by Great Britain against the French so ending the series of conflicts known as the French and Indian Wars
1763: Treaty of Paris
1775: 1775 - 1783 - The American Revolution.
1776: 1776-1794 Chickamauga Wars aka the Second Cherokee War, a series of conflicts of the Cherokee against the encroachment into their territory.
1776: July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence
1785: Northwest Indian War (1785–1795) in Indiana and Ohio. The Americans suffered 2 humiliating defeats by the American Native Indians until they won the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794
1794: General "Mad Anthony" Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers in Ohio ends Indian attacks in Kentucky
1803: The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars for the land
1812: 1812 - 1815: The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate but confirmed America's Independence
1830: Indian Removal Act
1832: Department of Indian Affairs established
1861: 1861 - 1865: The American Civil War.
1862: U.S. Congress passes Homestead Act opening the Great Plains to settlers
1865: The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy
1887: Dawes General Allotment Act passed by Congress leads to the break up of the large Indian Reservations and the sale of Indian lands to white settlers
1969: All Indians declared citizens of U.S.
1979: American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed
History Timeline of the Native Indians of Kentucky
State of Kentucky History Timeline
History of Kentucky Indians - Destruction and Decline
The history of the European invasion brought epidemic diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, influenza, measles and smallpox. The Native Indians of Kentucky had not developed immunities against these diseases resulting in huge losses in population. Exploitation including the leverage of taxes, enforced labor and enslavement were part of their history, taking their toll on the Kentucky Indians.
Kentucky
- History of Kentucky Indians
- Interesting Facts and information about the Kentucky Culture and History
- Names of indigenous Kentucky tribes of Indians
- Fast Facts, History Timeline and info
- Map of Kentucky
- History Timeline of the Kentucky Indians
State of Kentucky Indians - Additional Pictures and Videos
State of Kentucky Indian History. Discover the vast selection of pictures and videos of Native Americans. The pictures show the clothing, weapons and decorations of various Native American tribes that can be used as an educational history resource for kids and children. We hope that this article on the History of Kentucky Indians will assist in your studies or homework and that you will enjoy watching the videos featuring many pictures of the Native Americans. A great historical educational resource for kids on the subject of the History of Kentucky Indians..