State+of+Vermont


 * __The State of Vermont __**

 Vermont’s population grew rapidly in the years following its admission to the United States. During its first 10 years as part of the Union, Vermont was the fastest growing state in the nation. For the few remaining Abenaki, however, life was a struggle. Vermonters took over even more of the Abenaki’s hunting land. Some of the Native Americans survived by selling goods to the settlers.

 By 1820, the population was more than 200,000. French Canadians moved down from Quebec and settled near Lake Champlain. Scottish immigrants came across the Atlantic Ocean to work in the rock quarries, and the Irish came to Vermont to work on canals. Many newcomers came from other New England states to start farms in Vermont.

 Vermont’s **natural resources** were important to its newly developing industries. Paper mills and sawmills were constructed next to swiftly moving streams to harness their energy. Logs were floated down the Connecticut River to paper mills, and up Lake Champlain to Canada. The lake was an important route for getting goods and people where they wanted to go. By 1808, steamboats were a familiar sight on Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River.

 While **industries** were developing in Vermont, the state also gained an **agricultural** identity. Many early Vermonters were sheep farmers. Sheep not only provided wool, but also led to supporting industries such as **tanneries** (places to make sheepskin into leather) and **mills** to process wool into yarn.

Information included from:  __Uniquely Vermont__ by Emily Raabe __Vermont__ by Learner Publications Company