Kansas History
"Sunny Kansas, with her woes and glory."
This is an attempt to
commence at the beginning and continue to the end of the 19th Century in
writing an online Kansas history. A careful study of events will show
that the destiny of Kansas was closely bound up with the political
developments in Missouri for a period of nearly half a century. Many of
the transactions of early times are here first brought into their proper
relations in a narrative history of Kansas. Some of these are the accounts
of Quivira, of Louisiana, of the Santa Fe and
Oregon Trails, of the Overland commerce, of the unique Indian occupancy
and the extinguishment of the primal title to the soil, of the Missouri
Compromise and its repeal, and of the Provisional Government of Nebraska
Territory.
One of the features of this work which will be hailed with satisfaction by
students will be found in the Magoffin Papers. These papers discuss the
history of Doniphan's Expedition, and, consequently, that of New Mexico.
These papers complete the record and render the explanation of the
conquest of New Mexico through Kansas simple and satisfactory.
An effort had been made herein to point out the national aspects of Kansas
history. Kansas had her inception in national achievement. In
pre-Territorial and Territorial periods the history of Kansas is wholly of
national import. The great movements of American life have touched Kansas,
and have been touched by Kansas. In colonial times, in the struggle for
independence, in the conquest of the Mississippi Valley, in the battle
against slavery, in the Civil war, in the stand for social betterment,
Kansas under some name and in some form and in some way had borne a part
and exerted an influence. Her historians have been too prone to treat her
history as a series of local annals and detached events without logical
connection with American progress. It is to be hoped that the fertile
field of Kansas nationality will be given suitable attention in the
future. For in this direction lies her principal glory. Her influence on
American life will be found to have been vital, far-reaching, fundamental.
And if the highest traditions of Kansas are but kept in mind and insisted
on by Kansas in the future this national dominance and leadership will be
maintained to the permanent benefit of America—and mankind.
In every country certain interests always endeavor to distort history.
Selfishness lies at the root of such efforts. And jealousy—often
malice—bears a hand. Kansas had not escaped this fate. The statement of
the most elemental historical facts had subjected writers to unmeasured
vilification and abuse from these inimical sources. Here, what the record
shows to be true is set down without fear or favor.
- Spanish Exploration of Kansas
- Occupations
- Early United States Explorations
- The Santa Fe Trade
- The Oregon Trail
- The Overland Commerce
- Industries
