Michigan Geography and Early History

GeographyEarly PeopleThe French ExperienceFrench and Indian War

Michigan History

Map of Thomas Jefferson’s plan for the division of states West of Appalachia.

What Region is Michigan Located In?• Midwest• Mideast • East North Central – according to Dept. of

Commerce• Great Lakes – Many college regional's are called

the Great Lakes Region• Eastern – As in the Detroit Pistons Conference and

the Eastern Time Zone• Central – As in the Detroit Lions Conference• Mid-American – as in the Mid-American

Conference (MAC)

Today’s Plan• Jumpstart Assignment– What does this picture tell you about Michigan’s first

people? (Write your answer in your notebook)

• Notes: Michigan’s Early People

• Assignment: The EarlyResidents

Michigan – What’s with the name?• Comes from two native Algonquian words:–Michi – meaning “great or big”–Gama – meaning “lake”

• The term first came into use by the French in 1681 in reference to Lac de Michigami or (Lake Michigan)

• Michigania was actually first the proposed name for a territory in present day northern Wisconsin and the southwest Upper Peninsula.

Native Peoples of Michigan• The First Natives of Michigan were known as

Paleo-Indians who are believed to have migrated from Russiain 12000 B.C.

Historical Periods• Archaic Period – 8000 B.C. – 1000 B.C. - glaciers

recede to the north giving rise to hardwood forests in the south

• Woodland Period – 1000 B.C. – A.D. 1650 – Agriculture begins to flourish

The Mound Builders300 B.C. – A.D. 500• Built conical mounds for

ceremonies and funerals.• Traded with natives from the west.

Archaeologists know they traded because of the artifacts left behind were similar to those in other parts of Michigan and the Rocky Mountains.

Jumpstart Assignment• How did the French

colonists change the lives of Indians living in Michigan?

The French Experience• Etienne Brule – in 1622 became the first

European to make contact with Anishnabeg (Ojibway) in present day Sault St. Marie.– Sent by Samuel De Champlain (Governor of

New France) in search of the Northwest Passage–Brule ended up living with the Huron to

learn their way of life.

The French: Furs and Fortune

• Why did they come?–Riches, unsaved souls, imperial control,

geographical knowledge and adventure.• What did they do when they got here?–Traded manufactured goods for furs, often at

a 600-700% profit margin.– Settled in Detroit, St. Joseph,

Michilimackinac, and Sault St. Marie.– In 1750, only 500 Frenchmen lived in Detroit,

they’re largest settlement

The French and the Indians• Manufactured goods (guns, knives, kettles, and

clothes) from the French initially raised their standard of living.

• Indians began trapping for fur rather than food.• Alcohol is introduced to Indians.– Made drunken Indians easier to exploit, and was

rapidly consumed, leaving a continual demand.• European diseases decimate many Indian

populations.

French Forts in and around

Michigan

French and English in 1650.

Today’s PlanJumpstart Assignment Based on this map, where would you expect the conflict between France and Great Britain to take place? Why?

Notes: The French and Indian War

Timeline: Early Michigan History

French and English in 1650.

Where did the French go?• Throughout the 1600’s, the Iroquois

(natives of New York) send raiding parties to the Michigan region.–Constant conflict cause the French to

lose interest.• During King William’s War (1689-1697),

Iroquois lose many warriors.–1701 French again repopulate Detroit

(led by Cadillac) and Michilimackinac.

The French and Indian War (1754-1760)• Mostly fought in New York• France better army• 80,000 people• Had better leaders• Got along with

each other• Indian allies (many

from Michigan)

• England better navy

• 1,500,000 people• Iroquois

Confederacy – a six tribe alliance that hated the French

• Varied economy

1760 End of War• British capture Quebec in 1759, and Montreal

in 1760, and New France comes to its end.• November 29, 1760–British captured Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit)– For 60 years it had belonged to France

• 1763 Treaty of Paris officially ended war between France and England

• Proclamation of 1763–The British promise Indians the land west of

Appalachian Mountains

Michigan Early History to 1763 - Timeline• Paleo-Indians reach North America• Archaic Period• Woodland Period• Mound Builders • Huron, Ojibway, Pottawatami Natives live in Michigan

all alone• Etienne Brule is the first European to come to Michigan• French Fur Trade in Michigan• French flee because of Iroquois Raids• French return to Michigan forts for fur trade again• French and Indian War• Treaty of Paris ends conflict between the French and

British

Map of Michigan Counties