Mississippi in U.S. History
Timeline of Events:
- 1817: Mississippi becomes the 20th state of the Union.
- 1833: Mississippi Secession Convention rejects the Tariff of 1832.
- 1861: Mississippi secedes from the Union and joins the Confederate States of America.
- 1863: Vicksburg Campaign culminates in the surrender of Confederate forces, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River.
- 1865: Mississippi readmitted to the Union after ratifying the 13th amendment]].
- 1870: Hiram Rhodes Revels becomes the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate from Mississippi.
- 1890: Mississippi adopts a poll tax and literacy test, restricting African American voting rights.
- 1954: Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark Supreme Court case, declares racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
- 1964: Mississippi Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 help bring about desegregation in the state.
- 1980: Mississippi adopts a new state constitution, replacing the 1890 constitution.
Important Legislation:
- Mississippi Secession Ordinance (1861): Declared the state’s secession from the Union.
- Poll Tax and Literacy Test (1890): Restricted African American voting rights.
- Declaration of Rights and Grievances (1965): Mississippi’s response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, claiming it was unconstitutional.
- Mississippi State Constitution (1980): Replaced the 1890 constitution and contained stronger protections for civil rights.
Important Court Cases:
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
- McCoy v. Biggers (1964): Ruled that poll taxes were unconstitutional.
- Loving v. Virginia (1967): Struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Major Industry:
- Agriculture: Mississippi is a major producer of soybeans, cotton, and poultry.
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Mississippi’s secession and role in the Civil War had a profound impact on the nation’s history.
- The state’s resistance to desegregation and civil rights contributed to the national debate over race relations.
- Mississippi’s agricultural industry has played a significant role in the U.S. food supply.