history indiana history human activity indiana state midwest began migratory tribes native americans inhabited indiana early tribes succeeded dominance thousand years reached peak development period culture region entered recorded history europeans came indiana claimed territory france ruled years little settlement area defeated great_britain french indian war seven years war ceded territory east mississippi britain held land years defeat american revolutionary war time britain ceded entire region including indiana new united_states united_states government divided trans region new territories largest progressively divided smaller territories united_states congress new territory established portion territory grew population development admitted union nineteenth state indiana following newly established state government laid ambitious plan transform indiana segment frontier developed populated thriving state state founders initiated program led construction roads canals railroads state funded public schools despite noble aims project spending ruined state credit state near bankruptcy forced public works new constitution restricted rights free blacks excluded suffrage 1850s state population grew exceed million ambitious program founders realized indiana fourth largest state terms population measured census indiana politically influential played important role union american_civil_war indiana western state war soldiers participated engagement war following civil war indiana remained politically important critical swing state presidential elections helped decide control presidency decades late 19th century industry began develop rapidly state state golden age literature began time period increasing cultural influence early 20th century indiana developed strong manufacturing state attracted numerous immigrants internal migrants industries experienced setbacks great depression 1930s construction expansion auto industry urban development wars contributed state industrial growth second half 20th century indiana leader industry innovations companies early following end glacial period indiana topography dominated spruce pine forests home toothed cats covered glaciers remained ice advance leaving plants animals sustain human communities indiana earliest known inhabitants indians evidence exists humans indiana early archaic stage hunting camps nomadic culture found indiana carbon dating artifacts found caves shows humans mined flint early ate quantities freshwater local streams shown shell found southern indiana early woodland period indiana came produced culture wild pottery large cultural advances culture natives built burial type dated oldest anderson natives period developed culture indiana early culture create permanent settlements indiana mastered agriculture grew crops began construct ceremonies indiana connected trade native tribes far away central_america unknown reasons culture went decline completely disappeared late woodland era generally considered begun lasted arrival europeans indiana period rapid cultural change new developments explained introduction masonry shown construction large stone forts romantic legend attribute forts welsh indians supposedly arrived centuries reached caribbean archaeologists scholars found evidence theory believe cultural development culture evidence suggests collapse indiana low population rise culture densely populated settlements like known ceremonial remain visible locations near constructed scale built culture grow region people developed bow arrow copper working time period society complex dense highly developed largest city illinois contained inhabitants class society certain groups specializing elite held related political religious positions cities typically sited near rivers representing central developments dominated large central mound smaller large open plaza wooden built later complex apparently defensive purposes remains major settlement known angel lie east present day houses generally square shaped walls roofs reasons remain unclear disappeared middle 15th century years europeans entered modern indiana culture marked high point native development indiana period began periodic east west trek indiana crossing falls ohio near modern day important southern indiana created established later european american pioneers moving west major war broke eastern north_america native americans later called beaver wars american indian tribes battle neighbors opposed confederation primarily tribes including miami illinois tribes significantly advanced culture preceded tribes semi nomadic stone tools copper create large scale construction farming works predecessors war continued sporadic fighting century sought dominate expanding fur trade europeans achieved goal decades war drove tribes south west kept control area hunting grounds result war tribes including migrated indiana attempted land belonging miami gained military advantage supplied firearms europeans superior weapons thirty tribes nearly destroyed northern indiana european contact europeans entered indiana region final years beaver wars french attempted trade tribes indiana selling firearms exchange incurred wrath destroyed french outpost indiana retaliation appalled french continued supply western tribes firearms openly allied tribes major battle turning point conflict occurred near modern miami allies repulsed large force ambush firearms received french odds war finally ended great peace montreal indian left exhausted having suffered heavy casualties ohio michigan indiana left tribes fled west escape fighting miami nations returned indiana following war tribes pushed westward midwest east_coast european colonists miami invited settle arrived present day indiana nations nations later participants years war struggle native nations european settlers control region hostilities tribes began early killed french fur traders near tribes traded successfully french decades colonial period french fur traders canada europeans enter indiana beginning quickest route connecting new france districts canada louisiana ran indiana river highlands considered border french districts indiana vital french lines communication trade routes french established permanent settlement indiana european rule population area remained primarily native american french influence grew region great_britain competing france control north_america came believe control indiana important halt french expansion continent france european outpost modern indiana french trading post established near french explorer came area claiming king louis france came explore joseph rivers father traveled marked trees way marks survived photographed 19th century negotiated common defense treaty illinois miami nations exploration indiana led french establishing important trade route canada louisiana rivers french built series forts outposts indiana westward expansion british colonies east coast north_america encourage trade native tribes tribes able metal tools cooking manufactured items exchange animal french built fort miami town modern indiana france assigned agent miami established post modern indiana discourage coming british influence established similar post near town bears forts garrisoned men new france outpost maintain permanent european presence modern day jesuit priests accompanied french soldiers indiana attempt convert natives christianity conducted missionary activities lived natives learned languages accompanied hunts missionaries indiana taught early missionaries came great influence natives played important role keeping native tribes allied french french indian war north american seven years war europe british directly challenged france control region pitched battles occurred indiana native tribes region supported french beginning war tribes sent large groups warriors support french resisting british advance raid british colonies fort forward base british commander overcame native resistance drove deep frontier capture fort detroit rangers moved south detroit captured key french outposts indiana including war progressed french lost control canada fall montreal longer able effectively fight british interior north_america lost indiana british forces french entirely forced indiana following french expulsion native tribes led attempt rebel british french assistance besieging british held fort detroit tribes indiana rose british forced surrender fighting british french signed treaty paris ceded control indiana british great_britain british gained control indiana entire region middle rebellion year british officials negotiated tribes splitting alliance eventually lost allies forcing peace british july concession great_britain issued proclamation territory west reserved native americans despite treaty considered threat british interests murdered april region saw years peace britain established peace natives french trading posts forts region abandoned maintained years considered great importance eventually abandoned jesuit priests expelled provisional government established british hoped french area leave leave british gradually french remained continued fur trade native american nations treaty negotiated british colonies sold territorial claims colonies treaty company created hold claim named recorded use word indiana claim disputed colony virginia participate treaty laid claim land royal charter territory indiana brought administration province quebec french population quebec act listed acts thirteen colonies cited reason outbreak american revolutionary war thirteen colonies thought entitled territory support great_britain french indian war given enemy colonies fighting united_states gained official possession region following conclusion american revolution british influence native american allies region remained strong especially near fort detroit influence caused began british influenced native tribes refused recognize american authority backed resistance british merchants area american military victories region ratification jay treaty called british withdrawal region forts caused formal evacuation british fully expelled area conclusion war united_states outbreak american revolution sent virginia enforce claim land region july clark men crossed took control villages british indiana occupation accomplished firing shot clark carried letters french ambassador stating france supported americans letters french native american inhabitants area unwilling support british fort renamed fort british abandoned years earlier garrison present americans occupied captain american commandant counter clark advance british lieutenant governor small force february clark arrived surprise winter expedition retook town capturing hamilton process expedition secured southern indiana united_states clark success french officer organized militia force french residents capture fort detroit marching detroit force stopped sack delay proved fatal expedition met warriors miami tribe miami chief little turtle entire force killed captured clark organized assault fort detroit aborted chief captured significant clark army battle known near present day aurora indiana minor skirmishes occurred indiana including battle fort war came end britain ceded entire region united_states including indiana peace treaty negotiated paris clark militia authority state virginia continental flag flown fort area governed virginia territory state gave united_states federal government clark awarded large tracts land southern indiana service war modern named honor began attempt end native rebellion miami town attacked unsuccessfully general governor defeat worst defeat native americans history leaving entire army dead captured defeat led appointment general mad anthony wayne organized defeated native american force battle fallen treaty signed small eastern indiana opened settlement occupied united_states rebuilt treaty powerful miami nation considered allies united_states war ended hostilities native americans leaving victorious recorded incidents involving white settlers 18th century formed included land mississippi_river great lakes single territory states ohio michigan indiana illinois wisconsin eastern minnesota act established administration oversee territory land surveyed accordance time territory created american settlements indiana population northwest included fewer europeans native american population estimated near high july established preparation ohio held claim indiana dissolved decision indiana meant land indians referred fact area north inhabited native americans kentucky south traditional hunting ground tribes resided north river early american settlers kentucky referred north bank land indians company claim extinguished congress new territory contained present day indiana illinois michigan wisconsin minnesota areas separated governor territory served named honor harrison later ninth president united_states succeeded served capital established remained thirteen years territory reorganized legislature plans capital centralized population established land donated new capitol building finished government quickly relocated following outbreak war frontier population territory grew people exercising freedoms territory granted permission fully elect legislature time governor harrison appointed legislature article northwest ordinance prohibited slavery existed region french rule addition settlers occupied areas bringing slaves wanted legal territory northern states opposed expansion slavery region anti slavery party won strong majority election governor harrison odds new legislature proceeded pro slavery laws enacted slavery remained defining issue state decades follow early decades legislature encourage free blacks settle extended suffrage war major event territory resumption hostilities indians unhappy treatment peace native tribes led chief brother formed coalition americans war started general led army aggressive movements confederation war continued battle firmly ended native american uprising allowed americans control indiana battle earned harrison national fame nickname old war harrison merged war remnants indian confederation allied british canada siege fort harrison considered land victory war battles occurred modern state indiana include siege fort wayne battle treaty signed ended war relieved american settlers fears nearby british indian allies marked end hostilities native americans indiana recorded incidents native americans united_states indiana 19th century indian victories defeated harrison chosen candidate territory representative congress immediately introduced legislation grant indiana population entire territory action taken legislation outbreak war created rift politics territory supporting slavery opponents like dominated sought use bid permanently end slavery territory founding early territory approved census named census population territory found required constitutional convention met june heat season delegation moved outdoors days wrote constitution beneath shade giant tree state constitution completed june elections held august fill offices new state government november congress approved supporters control convention elected president notable delegates convention included forefront effort prevent slavery entering indiana sought create constitutional ban quoted saying let guard convention men chosen men opposed slavery succeeded goal ban placed new constitution persons held stayed status time year indiana approved congress settlers want slavery wanted exclude free blacks established barriers immigration state motto slavery indiana elected governor state defeating votes served terms governor went represent state congress years election declared indiana free state won key victory case slavery finally extinct northern tribal lands gradually opened white settlement indiana population rapidly increased center population shifted continually northward indianapolis selected site new state capital central position state city founders assumed serve major transportation sandy navigation indianapolis replaced seat government government established second state capital building early development national road reached indianapolis connecting indiana time citizens indiana known state took motto crossroads america construction began project connecting waterways great lakes railroads soon canal system obsolete developments transportation served economically connect indiana relying solely natural waterways connected indiana mississippi_river gulf_coast states construction state capitol building began building designed firm design inspired opened built exclusively state government state suffered financial difficulties decades attempted begin period internal improvements projects build canal falls ohio caused state banks fold hurt indiana credit halted projects hampered start new projects 1830s repair state finances terms beginning large scale plans statewide improvements set motion internal improvements led large deficit funded state bonds newly created sale million acres public land debt having borrowed million equivalent state years tax revenue government pay interest debt state narrowly avoided bankruptcy negotiating public works transferring state creditors exchange reduction state debt internal improvements began paid state began experience rapid population growth slowly state funding problems improvements led increase land value larger increase farm produce 1840s indiana completed removal native american tribes majority voluntarily relocated kansas leave forced travel kansas came called leaving band indians indiana area majority miami tribe left members tribe permitted remain state lands held privately terms treaty mary tribes convinced leave state voluntarily payment subsidies land grants west migrated westward settle missouri migrated canada minor tribes state including moved westward kansas 1850s indiana undergone major changes frontier sparse population developing state cities indiana population years increased inhabitants rapidly changing state constitution began criticized opponents claimed constitution appointed positions terms established inadequate clauses easily manipulated political parties exist constitution written constitution vote general public following great population growth state seen inadequate constitutional convention called january create new new constitution approved convention february submitted vote electorate year approved official constitution religion prime ground missionary second great awakening ending parade camp meetings baptist church records intense interest private moral behavior weekly meetings including drinking proper child practices contentious issue controversy traditional elements denounced missionary societies denominations funded aggressive missionary program sought bring christ society promoted middle class values mutual trust members tried minimize violence drinking displayed annoyance new morality imposed society political crisis came campaign enact dry prohibition liquor sales strongly opposed especially non catholics elements german recent arrivals prohibition failed switched new equally cause anti slavery crusade led new republican_party education list institutions category universities colleges indiana earliest institutions education indiana missions established french jesuit priests convert local native american nations founded public university state constitution required indiana state legislature create general system education ascending regular township schools state university tuition shall equally open took years legislature fulfill promise partly debate new public university founded replace territorial university 1820s saw start free public township schools administration plot ground set aside township construction state government chartered construction began professor hired classes offered state colleges established specialized needs included established state normal school training teachers founded state land grant university school science agriculture founded normal school early 20th century given state public colleges private religious colleges size educational standards 1890s methodist presbyterian led protestant schools founded prominent catholic college indiana rest midwest lowest literacy education rates early 20th century transportation early 19th century transportation goods indiana river state drained ultimately meeting mississippi_river goods transported sold new_orleans road region old trail ran falls ohio capitol relocated local roads created connect new capitol major road state national road project funded federal government road entered indiana connecting richmond indianapolis eastern states eventually illinois missouri west state adopted advanced methods build national road statewide basis began build new road network usable year round north south michigan road built 1830s connecting michigan kentucky passing indianapolis middle new roads roughly perpendicular state served foundation road system encompass indiana state began construction canal started passed connected new canal water transport possible new_orleans internal route sailing entering canada canal projects started abandoned completion state credit bonds railroad indiana built late 1830s major line completed connecting madison indianapolis 1850s railroad began popular indiana railroad brought major changes indiana enhanced state economic growth indiana natural waterways connected south cities new_orleans new rail lines ran east west connected indiana economies northern states late rail line ohio mississippi rivers increased demand state resources confederacy rail system completed end american civil war suffrage racial discrimination indiana restrictions blacks prohibiting court case white man new constitution expanded suffrage white males excluded blacks suffrage state legal segregation excluded black children public schools matter custom movement evangelical protestant initiative indiana pioneer era early freely drinking locally whiskey daily basis election days holidays community celebrations announced devil work state society formed local societies soon organized indianapolis 1830s evangelical community leaders joined forces curb consumption alcohol passed local option bill allowed vote prohibit alcohol sales township liquor issue pitted stable formed main theme politics 1930s 1850s indiana republican party adherents tended favor movement began challenging state democrats supported personal freedom limited federal government political power early legislation indiana earned limited temporary success republicans persuaded state legislature pass local option law allow township voters declare township dry later deemed unconstitutional statewide prohibition law passed met fate local option decades come protestant churches especially disciples christ women groups continue support efforts gave strong support catholics stood opposed gave strong support wet democratic_party civil war indiana free state home abraham_lincoln remained member union american_civil_war indiana regiments involved major engagements war engagements western theater present battles war war indiana provided infantry regiments batteries artillery regiments cavalry cause union initial arms issued indiana assigned men tenth called join union_army putting rebellion volunteered thousands turned away war ended indiana contributed men fight serve war casualties men lost lives conflict wounded outbreak war indiana run democratic southern sympathetic majority state legislature actions governor illegally borrowed millions dollars finance army indiana contribute greatly war effort suppressed state legislature help republican minority prevent assembling prevented chance democrats interfere war effort attempt union raids raids indiana soil war caused brief panic indianapolis southern indiana july occurred confederate officer briefly captured convincing union troops town cannon surrounding hills fact merely raid convinced federal government necessary supply indiana permanent force regular union_army soldiers counter future raids significant civil war battle fought indiana small skirmish morgan raid morning july morgan attempted cross indiana force confederate cavalry crossing briefly contested marched north fought short battle morgan took command heights south shot shells batteries town promptly surrendered battle left dead wounded morgan main body briefly raided salem fear capitol militia began form contest morgan advance salem morgan turned east raiding path leaving indiana july ohio captured aftermath civil war major effect development indiana war population generally south state entered provided cheap convenient means export products agriculture new_orleans sold war closed mississippi_river traffic nearly years forcing indiana find means export produce led population shift north state came rely great lakes railroad exports war largest city state mainly river contacts extensive trade south half lived war trade south came halt residents considered friendly south city regained stature city early victorian mansion row buildings remaining boom period era economic growth ohio river ports fully recovered economic prominence leading south economic decline contrast northern indiana experienced economic boom natural gas discovered 1880s directly contributed rapid growth cities glass industry developed utilize cheap fuel indiana gas field largest known world boom lasted early 20th century gas supplies ran low began northern indiana development heavy industry attracted thousands european immigrants late 19th early 20th centuries internal migrants black white rural small town south developments dramatically altered demographics state indiana industrial cities destinations great migration world war industrial restructuring shifts heavy industry resulted indiana chemist union colonel civil war founded company initial innovation coating pills led rapid growth company eventually developed indiana largest corporation largest corporations world years corporation developed widely drugs including company mass produce company advances indiana leading state production development returned civil war established manufacturer musical instruments company innovation band instruments important center music world base economy decades nearby south bend experienced continued growth following civil war large manufacturing city centered nation leading producer founded home new plant administration governor proposed construction fourth state capitol building state capitol building razed new constructed site million dollars appropriated construction new building completed building use severely negative effect economy factories closed railroads declared bankruptcy strike hurt chicago area coal miners southern indiana participated national strike hard times limited industry farmers felt financial pinch falling prices economy began recover world war broke europe creating higher demand american goods despite economic setbacks advances industrial technology continued years 19th 20th century july successfully road tested automobile opened auto company invented process casting aluminum political postwar era indiana critical swing state helped decide party controlled presidency elections close center attention speeches rallies election day approached voter turnout ranging near elections remote areas sides paid supporters vote occasionally paid supporters opposition vote despite allegations historians found little fraud national elections win electoral vote national parties looked indiana candidates national tickets included presidential election indiana senator grandson territorial governor elected president intense battle attracted partisans indianapolis hear speak famous porch fort named honor elected vice president recent elected high culture decades 19th century began known golden age indiana literature period lasted 1920s wrote best seller originate state followed including indiana developed reputation american following widely read novels beginning booth gentleman indiana thompson second famous novel known poet popular poet age wrote hundreds poems celebrating themes including unique art culture began developing late 19th century beginning landscape painting painters painters known use vivid colors artists including work influenced colorful hills southern indiana prominent musicians composers indiana reached national acclaim time including popular song banks far away later adopted official state song prohibition woman suffrage late nineteenth early twentieth century prohibition woman suffrage major reform issues state supporters opponents closely linked movements received broader hearing efforts equal suffrage congregations protestant churches indiana supported provided forum discussions women voting rights drive woman suffrage began 1870s sponsored leaders prohibition movement especially woman indiana chapter formed president indiana branch established founded fought world peace nation world war indiana women leaders took active role movement major effort women right vote non federal elections attempted amend state constitution passed houses state legislature bill failed pass legislative session state law required efforts fared little better indiana chapter organizations participating successfully lobbied pass amendment state constitution prohibit manufacture sale alcoholic state democratic majority state legislature killed bill legislative session following legislative defeats woman suffrage prohibition sensitive issues local politics democrats rallied opposition german strongholds opposition prohibition woman suffrage strong world war historian notes german family traditions women particular sharply defined terms family responsibilities suffrage women rights ran counter deep social religious traditions placed women relationship men renewed interest woman suffrage occur end century prohibition continued press legislative action gain political power favor prohibition legislation state formed able effectively significant force voters state advocates continued work established political parties legislative success occurred state legislature passed law local option law authored minister served state legislature leader national league political powerhouse protestant voters members major denominations support dry legislation law allowed voters city township file prevent individual saloon owner acquiring liquor license additional legislative efforts extend law achieve statewide prohibition indiana occur early twentieth century meeting called try revive defunct indiana movement indiana auxiliary formed officers elected officers included president vice president second vice president secretary treasurer judge high profile crime fascinated crime criminals historians argued popularity exploits banks getting away murder derived working class resentment group brothers served civil war formed outlaw gang united_states named brothers indiana region years responsible train robbery united_states occurred near actions inspired host outlaw gangs copied work beginning decades high profile train pursued detectives gang captured notorious flourished post war years including infamous black widow serial killer killed people men murder response criminals white cap groups began operating state primarily southern counties began carrying suspected criminals leading state attempt crack practices turn 20th century notorious anti laws passed incident governor called militia protect prisoner white caps showed lynch militia opened fire killing wounding activity decreased following incident remained low rise 1920s crime stories grabbed headlines 1920s 1930s prohibition took effect demise opened financial criminal activity especially underground smuggling liquor chicago south bend indianapolis cities enforcement anti saloon league lobbying agency rallied community support enforcement called punishment set extra legal raids gambling joints seldom law enforcement state federal courts instead gave enforcement bad republican elected state attorney general opposition tolerate extra legal operations instead stressed dangers citizens constitutional rights personal freedoms emphasized importance representative government levels states rights concept separation church state proposed personal liberty sacrificed order save people replied surrendering power individual freedoms slippery slope centralized government native indianapolis began streak bank indiana midwest 1920s prison return crime returned prison year escaped help gang gang responsible multiple murders theft killed fbi shootout chicago twentieth century economic modernization industry rapidly expanding northern state indiana remained largely rural turn 20th century growing population million like rest american midwest indiana exports job providers remained largely agricultural world war indiana developing industry backed inexpensive natural gas large educated population low taxes easy access transportation business friendly government led indiana grow leading manufacturing states state central location gave dense network railroads line identified state provided passenger service students route numerous small colleges painted cars school colors especially popular football weekends merged larger lines closed passenger service lost identity built elaborate network light rails connect rural areas shopping opportunities cities began operation miles track counties automobile lines chicago south shore operating chicago indiana state adopt legislation allowed dangerous male criminals mentally effect indiana state rule legislation unconstitutional supreme_court indiana acted revised law passed remained effect complex built new era history indiana cities miles detroit giant automobile industry indianapolis venue auto companies products indianapolis quickly standard auto racing european american companies competed build fastest automobile win track industrial technological industries era developed early received patent steel statewide prohibition decades twentieth century indiana anti saloon league formed state auxiliary national woman successfully organized pressure indiana politicians especially members republican_party support dry cause organization dry crusade indiana key force efforts attaining passage statewide prohibition early rallied state support ratification eighteenth amendment success leadership ordained methodist minister model league state organizations clear politicians care drank insisted vote dry laws face defeated election dry voters passage moore amendment expanded state local option law apply liquor license applicants local township city ward step seek prohibition appealed general public holding large rallies indianapolis support county option law provide restrictive ban alcohol september indiana governor methodist republican called special legislative session establish county option allow county voters prohibit alcohol sales county state legislature passed bill narrow margin november seventy indiana ninety counties dry democratic legislative majority replaced county option law geographically restrictive local option number dry counties reduced despite setback prohibition advocates continued lobby legislators support december organizations formed fight politically powerful liquor interests joining group short time later vigorously campaigned statewide prohibition adopted february subsequent legal challenges delayed implementation statewide prohibition court ruled june indiana prohibition law valid january indiana fifth state eighteenth amendment mandated nationwide prohibition days later nebraska thirty sixth state amendment providing thirds majority states required amend constitution beginning nationwide prohibition january formal ratification eighteenth amendment previous day efforts turned enforcement new law protestant support prohibition remained intense indiana 1920s lead statewide campaign successfully passed new prohibition law state sponsored indiana representative known wright bone dry law enacted wright law national trend prohibition legislation imposed severe penalties alcohol possession great depression election democratic party candidates ended widespread national support prohibition included repeal eighteenth amendment major issue presidential campaign good promise american voters december amendment repealed eighteenth amendment ended nationwide prohibition indiana legislature continued regulate alcohol state allocation state liquor licenses prohibition sales sunday women activism middle class indiana women learned organizational skills suffrage movements 1890s applying new skills needs home communities organizing women clubs combined literary activity social activism focused needs public health good schools women increasingly learn focus energies objectives specialized local organizations example concentrated oriented social concerns worked free middle class black women activists organized baptist methodist churches leadership formed statewide umbrella group sponsored clubs cities state members budget members public school teachers women active local business black community government positions affiliated headed husband powerful network black activists prominent member indiana madame walker indianapolis owned nationally successful business selling beauty hair products black women club meetings focused home making classes research statistics status blacks indiana nationwide suffrage anti activism local clubs operated rescue missions nursery schools educational programs floods march march indiana dozen states experienced major flooding great flood indiana worst flood disaster time weather system created unprecedented flooding arrived indiana sunday march major tornado days rainfall topped inches southern indiana half falling hour period march heavy rains runoff rising rivers resulted extensive flooding northeast central southern indiana indiana flood related deaths estimated flood damage estimated million dollars state local communities handled disaster response relief small organization time established temporary headquarters indianapolis served hardest hit indiana counties indiana governor appealed indiana cities states relief assistance appointed trustee receive relief funds arrange distribution supplies independent organizations indianapolis helped local relief efforts world war divided entering world war germany resumed submarine warfare tried enlist mexico military ally wanted neutral war support britain came businessmen opposition came women farmers irish catholics german american elements called neutrality strongly opposed going war rescue british_empire influential opposed involvement war included democratic senator vice president supporters military included opposition dissipated united_states officially declared war germany april teachers lost jobs suspicion public schools longer teach german socialist leader went federal prison encouraging young men evade draft units sent europe separate organization formed primarily social purposes members marched patriotic events governor november growing workers strike indianapolis state decided group renaming supplying equipment training unit named effectively state militia world war members called federal government indiana provided troops war majority drafted men died pneumonia honor veterans war state began construction indiana world war memorial twenties great depression war time economy provided boom indiana industry agriculture led 1920s workers employed industry agriculture indiana indiana greatest industries steel production iron automobiles railroad cars scandal erupted state discovered half seats general_assembly controlled including members political parties pushed anti catholic legislative agenda including ban education general_assembly session grand dragon boasted law indiana convicted murder year sentenced life prison governor helped elect refused pardon began conspirators led state making string arrests political leaders including governor mayor indianapolis attorney general crackdown effectively rendered powerless 1930s indiana like rest nation affected great depression economic wide ranging negative impact indiana declined governor administration struggled build scratch state funded welfare system help overwhelmed private charities administration spending taxes cut drastically response depression state government completely reorganized enacted state income tax occasions declared martial law end worker strikes great depression unemployment exceeded statewide hard hit unemployment topped worst years federal began operations indiana july october year agency work people working agency majority workers employed improve state infrastructure roads bridges flood control projects water treatment plants helped index collections libraries artists employed create murals post offices libraries nearly community project work 1930s local businesses collapsed railroads went bankrupt numerous small rural banks folded manufacturing came abrupt halt severely cut demand products depression continued negatively affect indiana buildup world war effects continued felt years world war economy began recover unemployment remained high youth older workers federal government built supplies armaments going world war indiana participated nation economy resources domestically state produced munitions army plant near fighter plane manufactured republic aviation steel produced northern indiana tanks battleships submarines war related materials produced state indiana military bases activated areas camp reaching historical peaks activity population highly supportive war efforts political left supported war unlike world war opposed churches showed based anderson strong element reaching high point late 1930s war america attacked anti communist sentiment kept strong developing likewise strong base near richmond generally regarded world war war served continued federal government hostile churches helped young men provide valuable service nation set training program unpaid jobs young women liable draft volunteered unpaid jobs demonstrate patriotism worked mental hospitals state sent nearly enlisted drafted died conflict wounded served major theaters war sacrifice honored additions world war memorial indianapolis finished tens thousands women volunteered war service agencies red_cross representative served coffee combat soldiers england france red_cross died plane crash france 21st century struck major flood leading widespread damage evacuations hundreds thousands residents disaster history state early damage estimates topping billion indiana exports totaled billion record high state rate export growth faster indiana nation
History of Indiana