Territorial evolution of Montana facts for kids
The land that is now the State of Montana has a long and interesting history. It started as part of vast lands claimed by different countries. Over time, these claims changed through treaties and purchases. Eventually, the area became part of the United States, first as different territories, and finally as the state we know today. This story is called its "territorial evolution."
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Early Claims on Montana's Land
Before Montana became a U.S. state, its lands were claimed by several European powers. These claims often overlapped, leading to agreements and changes over many years.
British Claims: Rupert's Land
From 1670 to 1870, a large area including parts of modern Montana was claimed by the United Kingdom. This land was known as Rupert's Land. It was controlled by the Hudson's Bay Company, a British trading company. In 1818, the Treaty of 1818 helped set the border between the U.S. and British North America. This treaty clarified some of the claims in the Montana region.
French Claims: Louisiane
France also claimed a huge territory called Louisiane from 1682 to 1764. This claim covered a vast area, including parts of what is now Montana. In 1762, France secretly gave this land to Spain through the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
Spanish Claims: Luisiana
After 1764, the land became known as Luisiana under Spanish control. Spain held this territory until 1803. In 1800, Spain secretly returned the land to France with the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso.
France's Brief Return and the Louisiana Purchase
France briefly regained control of Louisiane in 1803. However, later that same year, the United States bought this massive territory from France. This famous deal was called the Louisiana Purchase. It greatly expanded the size of the young United States.
The Oregon Country
From 1818 to 1846, parts of western Montana were part of the Oregon Country. This was a large area that both the United States and the United Kingdom claimed. It was a shared territory for a while. A group called the Provisional Government of Oregon even formed there, though it wasn't officially recognized by the U.S. government at first. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty finally settled the border dispute. This treaty gave the southern part of the Oregon Country, including western Montana, to the United States.
Montana as U.S. Territories
Once the United States gained control of these lands, they were organized into different territories before Montana became a state.
Early U.S. Territories
- Unorganized Territory (1803–1804): After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the land was initially an "unorganized territory." This meant it wasn't yet set up as a formal U.S. territory.
- District of Louisiana (1804–1805): In 1804, the U.S. organized the area into the District of Louisiana. It was managed by the governor of the Indiana Territory.
- Territory of Louisiana (1805–1812): The district was soon renamed the Territory of Louisiana in 1805. This was a more formal U.S. territory.
- Territory of Missouri (1812–1821): In 1812, the Territory of Louisiana was renamed the Territory of Missouri. This territory was very large, covering much of the central U.S.
- Unorganized Territory (1821–1854): When Missouri became a state in 1821, the northwestern part of the Missouri Territory, including much of future Montana, became an "unorganized territory" again.
Territories Leading to Montana
- Territory of Oregon (1848–1859): After the Oregon Treaty in 1846, the Territory of Oregon was created in 1848. This included parts of western Montana.
- Territory of Washington (1853–1889): In 1853, the Territory of Washington was formed from the northern part of the Oregon Territory. This new territory also included parts of what would become Montana.
- Territory of Nebraska (1854–1867): In 1854, the Territory of Nebraska was created. Its boundaries included some eastern parts of present-day Montana.
- Territory of Dakota (1861–1889): As more people moved west, the Territory of Dakota was established in 1861. This territory also covered parts of eastern Montana.
- Territory of Idaho (1863–1890): In 1863, the Territory of Idaho was formed. It was a very large territory at first, and it included almost all of what is now Montana.
- Territory of Montana (1864–1889): Finally, in 1864, the Territory of Montana was created from a portion of the Idaho Territory. This was the direct step before Montana became a state.
Montana Becomes a State
On November 8, 1889, the State of Montana officially joined the Union. This was a big moment, as it meant Montana was no longer just a territory but a full and equal state.
Images for kids
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the Constitution of the United States was ratified on March 4, 1789.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso transferred the Spanish colony of la Luisiana to the French Republic on October 1, 1800.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase took effect on December 20, 1803.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the District of Louisiana on March 26, 1804.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Louisiana on March 3, 1805.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Missouri on June 4, 1812.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the Treaty of 1818 took effect on January 30, 1819.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the Oregon Treaty took effect July 17, 1846
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Oregon on August 14, 1848.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Washington on March 2, 1853.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Kansas and the Territory of Nebraska on May 30, 1854.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Dakota on March 2, 1861.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Idaho on March 3, 1863.
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An enlargeable map of the United States after the creation of the Territory of Montana on May 26, 1864.
