Minnesota · Statehood 1858

Western Minnesota Louisiana

The western portion of Minnesota fell within the French Louisiana territory claimed by La Salle in 1682. As a result of France's defeat in the Seven Years' War, the west part was ceded to Spain as compensation for Spain losing Florida, via the secret Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762), becoming Spanish Louisiana. Spain took possession of Upper Louisiana including the St. Louis trading post in the late 1760s. Louisiana was retroceded to France under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800) and Treaty of Aranjuez (1801), with the formal transfer ceremony occurring in New Orleans on 30 November 1803, before France transferred the territory to the United States via the Louisiana Purchase. The Territory of Minnesota was organized in 1849, and Minnesota achieved statehood on May 11, 1858.

Pre-contact era

The earliest people followed herds of large game to the region during the last glacial period. They were the ancestors who preceded by thousands of years the recognized tribal communities of the Dakota, the Ioway, and other indigenous inhabitants. Fur traders from France arrived during the 17th century, as did the Anishinaabe.

Colonial history

Territorial period

The Territory of Minnesota existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858, when the eastern portion was admitted to the Union as the state of Minnesota and the western portion became unorganized territory and shortly after was reorganized as part of the Dakota Territory.

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