Ohio State History
Ohio is a state in the Midwestern area of the United States. It is the 34th largest state.
Lots of people live in Ohio and it is very densely populated.
The capital city of Ohio is Columbus but Ohio has had three different capital cities throughout its history: Zanesville, Chillicothe and Columbus.
It borders Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Related: Ohio State Facts
The word “Ohio” comes from a Native American (Seneca) word, “Ohi:yo”, which means “great river.” The Ohio River runs through the Ohio state.
First populations and settlements
There has been lots of archaeological research carried out in Ohio. This research tells us about the very early history of the region, before Europeans arrived.
The Ohio Valley has had people residing there since 13,000 BC.
These early populations were nomadic, which means they moved around from place to place, instead of staying in one place and farming.
The populations that followed, the Adena and the Hopewell people, lived in the Ohio region between the years 1,000 and 800 BC.
We know about these cultures because they built important, sacred, mounds. These mounds were very difficult to build.
Some of these impressive structures can still be seen in modern day Marietta, Newark and Circleville.
The Hopewell people disappeared in 600 AD and peoples from the Mississippian Culture came to prominence in the region.
In much later years, when Europeans arrived, there were many Native American populations living in the region, including the Iroquoian, the Algonquian and the Siouan peoples.
Many massacres happened in this region, for example, the Yellow Creek Massacre. During the Indian Removal Act, most native populations were forced to leave Ohio by law.
Europeans in Ohio
Ohio was a very important region for both the French and the English during the eighteenth-century. The region was important in the fur trade.
The French and the English battled for control of Ohio in order to take control of this very profitable trade.
Great Britain and France fought over American territories during the Seven Years’ War. Great Britain won control of Ohio in the Treaty of Paris.
Ohio became a state in 1803. It was the 17th state to join the Union.
The Civil War
Because the River Ohio is in an important position, Ohio played an important role in the American Civil War.
Ohio’s industry also kept the army supplied with vital food and weapons.
Sports
Ohio is home to some very famous and successful sports teams. There are nine sports teams in the five major league in the states.
Some famous examples are the Cincinnati Reds (baseball), the Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball) and the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns from the National Football League.
Ohio teams have won the World Series seven times (the Cincinnati Reds have won it five times and the Cleveland Indians have won it twice).
Quiz Time!
How long has Ohio been inhabited?
Who lived in Ohio before the Europeans arrived?
What was the name of a massacre that took place in Ohio country?
Why did Britain and France fight over Ohio?
How many times have Ohio teams won the World Series?
