4.H.1.1 Analyze the impact of significant historical events on the development of cultures in South Dakota

By Susan Damm

  • 1803

    United States acquired South Dakota form the Louisiana Purchase

  • 1803-1858

    Territory was the Dakota Sioux's area and domain

  • 1804

    Lewis and Clark Expedition came to Dakota. They were checking out the land and terrain in the Louisiana Purchase. They came upon unknown people, harsh conditions, and unexplored lands in order to secure their place in history as 2 of the world's greatest explorers.

  • 1820-1840

    The United States Military expeditions were sent to the Dakota area. Army posts were established by 1850.

  • 1858

    The Yankton Sioux ceded their claim to southeastern Dakota to the United States. White settlers then came and settled by the land now known as Yankton and Vermillion.

  • 1861

    The United States Congress created Dakota Territory. This included all of what is now known as North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and northern Wyoming.

  • 1868

    A treaty was signed by the Sioux for the Great Sioux Reservation, which includes the Black Hills.

  • 1874

    Custer found gold in the Black Hills. This led to the opening of the area to white settlement in 1876

  • 1876

    Homestake Gold Mine opened. The Sioux war occurred. General Custer and the 7th Calvary were defeated which was also known as "Custer's Last Stand."

  • 1878

    Railroads were built. This stimulated a great Dakota Territory land boom. This brought settlers east of the Missouri River to find land.

  • 1889

    South Dakota separated from North Dakota. South Dakota became the 40th state in the United States.

  • 1890

    The Wounded Knee Massacre killed more than 250 Lakota men, women, and children. Sitting Bull was killed. The Native American wars ended.

  • 1900

    Railroads could then reach the western parts of South Dakota. The last land boom brought thousands of homesteaders.

  • 1930

    Th Great Depression closed many factories and mills. Small farms were abandoned. Many families had to move to cities.