The State of Franklin

Tennessee Becomes a State

Famous People from Tennessee

The State of Franklin

• After the American Revolution settlers in the land that is now Tennessee needed a government.

• Some settlers wanted to form a state and join the United States.

• In 1784, a group of settlers met and formed a new state they called Franklin.

• It was named for Benjamin Franklin.

The State of Franklin

• The state of Franklin covered most of what is now East Tennessee.

• John Sevier was chosen to be its leader.

• The United States government did not want Franklin to be a state. Leaders thought this land should stay part of North Carolina.

Southwest Territory

• In 1790 the U.S. set up a new government for Tennessee replacing Franklin.

• Tennessee was made part of the Southwest Territory.

• William Blount became the governor of the Southwest Territory.

• Problems developed between the settlers and the Indians.

Southwest Territory

Tennessee Becomes a State

• In 1796 a meeting was held in Knoxville the capital of the Southwest Territory to discuss statehood.

• The United States government voted to make Tennessee a state in 1796.

• John Sevier was chosen as the states first governor.

Tennessee 1796

Famous People

• There are many people in the history of our nation that called Tennessee their home.

• A few were Presidents but there were many others who are just as important in the history of our state and our nation.

Andrew Jackson

• He was the first person from Tennessee to become President.

• He signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830.

• Remembered for the Trail of Tears.

Nancy Ward

• Nan’yehi was a Cherokee Indian.

• She was considered a peace maker in the Cherokee nation.

• As more settlers moved to Tennessee, she blended with the white world and was known as Nancy Ward.

Davy Crockett

• He was a hunter and soldier.

• He fought in many Indian battles.

• He served in the U.S. Congress.

• He was critical of Andrew Jackson.

• He died at the Alamo.

Sam Houston• He ran away as a

teenager to live with Cherokee Indians.

• With the help of Andrew Jackson, he became governor of Tennessee and resigned to return to live with the Cherokees.

• He was President of the Republic of Texas.

Sequoyah

• His father was a white fur trader and his mother was a Cherokee.

• He fought in the War of 1812.

• He developed an alphabet and written language for the Cherokee people.

James K. Polk

• He was the second man from the state of Tennessee to become President of the U.S.

• A war was fought with Mexico when he was President.

• He helped decide the border between the U.S. and Canada near Oregon Country. Young Hickory

John Sevier

• John Sevier was chosen as the leader of Franklin.

• He served as the first governor of Tennessee.

• Indians hated and feared John Sevier.