Names of the West Virginia Indian Tribes
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 West Virginia. The names of the West Virginia tribes included the Cherokee, Iroquois, Manahoac, Meherrin, Monacan, Nottaway, Occaneechi, Saponi and Shawnee.
Fast Facts about the History of West Virginia Indians
The way of life and history of West Virginia Indians was dictated by the natural raw materials available in the State of West Virginia. The natural resources and materials available provided the food, clothing and houses of the West Virginia Indians. Fast facts about the history, culture and life of the State of West Virginia Indians. Discover facts and information about the history of the State of West Virginia Indians.
- Name of State: West Virginia
- Meaning of State name: Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England - the "Virgin Queen"
- Geography, Environment and Characteristics of the State of West Virginia: Mountains and plateau areas
- Culture adopted by West Virginia Indians: Northeast Woodlands Cultural Group
- Languages: Iroquoian and Algonquian
- Way of Life (Lifestyle): Hunter-gatherers, farmers, fishers, trappers
- Types of housing, homes or shelters: Wigwams (aka Birchbark houses)
History Timeline of the West Virginia Indians
The history and the way of life of West Virginia 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 West Virginia Indian History Timeline provides a list detailing dates of conflicts, wars and battles involving West Virginia Indians and their history. We have also detailed major events in US history which impacted the history of the West Virginia Indians.
West Virginia History Timeline
History Timeline of the Native Indians of West Virginia
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 - homes were established along rivers and trade exchange systems and burial systems were established
1614: 1614 Violent confrontation between hundreds of English and Powhatan men on the Pamunkey River, Virginia - refer to Powhatan
1622: 1622-1624 The Powhatan Wars, battles and conflicts in Virginia between colonists and American Native Indians
1688: 1688 - 1763 The French and Indian Wars between France and Great Britain for lands in North America consisting of King William's War (1688-1699), Queen Anne's War (1702-1713), King George's War (1744 - 1748) and the French and Indian War aka the Seven Years War (1754-1763)
1758: The Anglo-Cherokee War (1758–1761) - The Cherokee uprising in present-day Tennessee, Virginia and the Carolinas
1774: Lord Dunmore's War. Governor Dunmore commanded a force to defeat the Shawnee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio, down 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: July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence
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 West Virginia
State of West Virginia History Timeline
History of West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia Indians.
West Virginia
- History of West Virginia Indians
- Interesting Facts and information about the West Virginia Culture and History
- Names of indigenous West Virginia tribes of Indians
- Fast Facts, History Timeline and info
- Map of West Virginia
- History Timeline of the West Virginia Indians
State of West Virginia Indians - Additional Pictures and Videos
State of West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia Indians..
