Changes

===Early visits===

===Early visits===

The written history of Oklahoma began in 1541 with the Spanish travel journals of the Coronado expedition). Two groups of Native Americans lived in the region: the nomadic, bison-hunting Plains groups (Kiowas, Comanches, and Kiowa-Apaches) and the sedentary, agricultural Caddoan-speaking groups (Wichitas and the Caddos). In 1803 [[Thomas Jefferson]] purchased the the region from France in the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. A few U.S. Army officers, naturalists, adventurers, traders, and missionaries visited the area.

The written history of Oklahoma began in 1541 with the Spanish travel journals of the Coronado expedition). Two groups of Native Americans lived in the region: the nomadic, bison-hunting Plains groups (Kiowas, Comanches, and Kiowa-Apaches) and the sedentary, agricultural Caddoan-speaking groups (Wichitas and the Caddos). In 1803 [[Thomas Jefferson]] purchased the the region from France in the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. A few U.S. Army officers, naturalists, adventurers, traders, and missionaries visited the area.

===Relocation===

===Relocation===

Starting in 1820, the federal government started using the region to resettle tribes relocated from the Southeast. The tribes received federal subsidies in terms of food and supplies.  Named the '''Indian Territory''', it became home to over sixty tribes.  The largest were the "Five Civilized Tribes," ([[Cherokee]], [[Choctaw]], [[Chickasaw]], [[Creek]], and [[Seminole]]).  Intermarriage with whites had produced a modernizing leadership class that adopted American ways, often in the face of resistance from traditionalists. Christian missionaries were active with all the tribes, and were increasingly successful in converting them.  In 1830, [[Andrew Jackson]] had Congress pass the the [[Indian Removal Act]] giving the Army power to forcibly remove the tribes to their new territory.  Exposed to disease, lack of supplies, and emotional distress, there was great suffering during the removal; the ordeal is called the [[Trail of Tears]].  Apart from missionaries and a few federal agents, the population was entirely native American at this point.  

Starting in 1820, the federal government started using the region to resettle tribes relocated from the Southeast. The tribes received federal subsidies in terms of food and supplies.  Named the '''Indian Territory''', it became home to over sixty tribes.  The largest were the "Five Civilized Tribes," ([[Cherokee]], [[Choctaw]], [[Chickasaw]], [[Creek]], and [[Seminole]]).  Intermarriage with whites had produced a modernizing leadership class that adopted American ways, often in the face of resistance from traditionalists. Christian missionaries were active with all the tribes, and were increasingly successful in converting them.  In 1830, [[Andrew Jackson]] had Congress pass the the [[Indian Removal Act]] giving the Army power to forcibly remove the tribes to their new territory.  Exposed to disease, lack of supplies, and emotional distress, there was great suffering during the removal; the ordeal is called the [[Trail of Tears]].  Apart from missionaries and a few federal agents, the population was entirely native American at this point.  

===Depression===

===Depression===

The combination of the [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] put an end to economic prosperity in the 1930s.  Farmers were hit the hardest and many relocated to the cities. Others, called "Okies",  began a mass migration of to [[California]] in search of a better life, an image that would be popularized in American culture by [[John Steinbeck]]'s novel, ''[[The Grapes of Wrath]]'' and Henry Fonda's movie.  The economy recovered during World War II, when conservative Governor [[Robert S. Kerr]] utilized friendships in Washington to secure federal money to help the state recover.  Oklahoma built and expanded numerous army and navy installations and air bases, which in turn brought thousands of jobs to out of work citizens. By the 1950s Oklahoma was prosperous and growing.  

The combination of the [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] put an end to economic prosperity in the 1930s.  Farmers were hit the hardest and many relocated to the cities. Others, called "Okies",  began a mass migration of to [[California]] in search of a better life, an image that would be popularized in American culture by [[John Steinbeck]]'s novel, ''[[The Grapes of Wrath]]'' and Henry Fonda's movie.  The economy recovered during World War II, when conservative Governor [[Robert S. Kerr]] utilized friendships in Washington to secure federal money to help the state recover.  Oklahoma built and expanded numerous army and navy installations and air bases, which in turn brought thousands of jobs to out of work citizens. By the 1950s Oklahoma was prosperous and growing.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==