EARLY STATEHOOD |
1837 - 1850s
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Michigan became the 26th state in 1837. At this time there were many people traveling to the area and the population was growing quickly. From 1830 to 1837 the population in Michigan grew from 31,000 to 87,000. Many people came for jobs and land. They traveled here by wagon and also by boat, taking the Erie Canal to move from New York to Michigan. Some people chose to stay in the cities like Detroit, while others wanted their own land and headed out into the wilderness. Life was difficult, people had to travel where there were few roads and it was easy to get lost. These settlers had to either bring everything they needed, or make it themselves as there were very few people and stores. By 1850, most land in Michigan had been bought.
Others worked in the lumber, or logging jobs. In 1841 a geologist published a report showing there was copper in the Upper Peninsula and many people went to find some for themselves, and set up mines. Iron was also found in 1844. While many people were moving to Michigan, a group of people was also being forced to move away. These were the Native Americans in southern Michigan. In 1847, the capital of Michigan moved from Detroit to Lansing.
Others worked in the lumber, or logging jobs. In 1841 a geologist published a report showing there was copper in the Upper Peninsula and many people went to find some for themselves, and set up mines. Iron was also found in 1844. While many people were moving to Michigan, a group of people was also being forced to move away. These were the Native Americans in southern Michigan. In 1847, the capital of Michigan moved from Detroit to Lansing.
Civil War / UNDERGROUND RAILROAD |
1850s - 1865
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The Underground Railroad guided escaping slaves north to free states or to Canada. The term “Underground Railroad” began to be used in the early 1830s. Homes and businesses that protected runaway slaves were known as "stations" and were run by "stationmasters." "Conductors" moved the runaways from one station to the next. People who supported the Underground Railroad and the end of slavery were called abolitionists. Michigan played an important role in the Underground Railroad because of the border it shares with Canada. Michigan had two main routes in the southern and central parts of the state.
The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. The civil war was fought between the Union states (Northern states) and the states of the Confederacy (Southern states). There were many causes of the civil war, including differences between northern and southern states on the idea of slavery, as well as states’ rights. War broke out in April 1861 when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina shortly after Abraham Lincoln became president. Although battles were not fought in Michigan, all the people of Michigan were involved in the Civil War. Many Michiganians were opposed to slavery, and they responded quickly to the war. Ninety thousand men served, most being volunteers, and almost 15,000 lost their lives. At home, civilians mined copper and iron, produced food, and cut timber to support the war.
The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. The civil war was fought between the Union states (Northern states) and the states of the Confederacy (Southern states). There were many causes of the civil war, including differences between northern and southern states on the idea of slavery, as well as states’ rights. War broke out in April 1861 when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina shortly after Abraham Lincoln became president. Although battles were not fought in Michigan, all the people of Michigan were involved in the Civil War. Many Michiganians were opposed to slavery, and they responded quickly to the war. Ninety thousand men served, most being volunteers, and almost 15,000 lost their lives. At home, civilians mined copper and iron, produced food, and cut timber to support the war.
Growth Of Manufacturing |
1865 - 1930s
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The Industrial Revolution was an event that took place in Great Britain (England) while Michigan was in early statehood. During this time, several important inventions were made, including the steam engine and machining. Machining is using machines and tools to make objects from a larger piece of metal or wood, instead of by adding smaller pieces together, or building things by hand. These important inventions soon spread to the United States and factories began to pop up in larger cities like Detroit. With the proximity to iron and steel foundries, Michigan was a great place to set up these factories.
These factories had 25% of Michigan’s employees by the late 1800’s. Many new immigrants came to work in the factories which made things such as furniture in Grand Rapids, stoves, and packaged food. However, the largest and most well-known factories began in the early 1900’s making the “horseless carriage” or what we know now as the car. They used the newly invented gasoline engine and Henry Ford came up with the new idea of an assembly line to build the cars, where the parts would be added to the car as it traveled down a moving conveyor belt. This allowed Ford’s factories to make more cars in less time than the old method.
These factories had 25% of Michigan’s employees by the late 1800’s. Many new immigrants came to work in the factories which made things such as furniture in Grand Rapids, stoves, and packaged food. However, the largest and most well-known factories began in the early 1900’s making the “horseless carriage” or what we know now as the car. They used the newly invented gasoline engine and Henry Ford came up with the new idea of an assembly line to build the cars, where the parts would be added to the car as it traveled down a moving conveyor belt. This allowed Ford’s factories to make more cars in less time than the old method.
WWII |
1930s - 1950s
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By the 1920’s there were several successful automobile factories in Michigan, including Oldsmobile, Chrysler, Ford and Buick. The state became the automobile capital of the world. Jobs were plentiful and many people moved to the area for jobs in factories that paid very well. However, in 1929, the Stock Market crashed and this began the Great Depression. People had been borrowing money from banks and now they could not pay it back. People were not buying cars because they had no money and this caused the car-making jobs to suffer.
In 1932, Ford Motor Company had to lay off two-thirds of its workers and those that still had jobs had to work very long hours and were not treated well. This caused tension between the workers and factory owners. The workers began to come together and create unions so the people in charge would have to listen to their ideas. One of these unions was the United Auto Workers and was created in 1936. Its goal was to give a united voice to workers that was stronger than individual voices.
In 1941, the United States joined World War 2 and many men had to leave their jobs in factories to fight in the war. Women stepped up to fill in the jobs, especially those for the war. During this time, automobile manufacturing plants changed what they were making to build planes, tanks, weapons and other materials for the war. Others in Michigan grew food for soldiers. In 1945, the United States helped defeat the Axis powers. Michigan played an important role in the war.
In 1932, Ford Motor Company had to lay off two-thirds of its workers and those that still had jobs had to work very long hours and were not treated well. This caused tension between the workers and factory owners. The workers began to come together and create unions so the people in charge would have to listen to their ideas. One of these unions was the United Auto Workers and was created in 1936. Its goal was to give a united voice to workers that was stronger than individual voices.
In 1941, the United States joined World War 2 and many men had to leave their jobs in factories to fight in the war. Women stepped up to fill in the jobs, especially those for the war. During this time, automobile manufacturing plants changed what they were making to build planes, tanks, weapons and other materials for the war. Others in Michigan grew food for soldiers. In 1945, the United States helped defeat the Axis powers. Michigan played an important role in the war.
Modern Michigan |
1950s - 2000s
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In the 1950’s the auto industry continued to thrive. In the 50’s the Mackinac Bridge was built, connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsula for the first time. Before this, the only way to get from one to the other was by boat. The building of the bridge also brought more tourists to Michigan. Tourism was growing in Michigan and there were even specific resorts for African Americans, as segregation prevented African Americans from vacationing with white people.
In the 1960’s across the country African Americans were fighting for full rights. Segregation meant that they could not go to the same schools, drink from the same drinking fountain, or vacation in the same places as white people. There were several famous civil rights leaders that were from Michigan or traveled here including Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. A law was passed in 1964 that made it illegal to discriminate people based on race, color, national origin, religion or gender.
There were also positive changes in Michigan including the Motown music and Rock and Roll singers. In 1974, Gerald R. Ford became the President of the United States and was the first president from Michigan. In the 1980’s the automobile industry became too expensive to keep in Michigan. Cars could be made for cheaper in other areas and many automobile plants closed and people lost their jobs. People had to move elsewhere for work. Those that could not leave became poor and the cities began to decay.
In the 1960’s across the country African Americans were fighting for full rights. Segregation meant that they could not go to the same schools, drink from the same drinking fountain, or vacation in the same places as white people. There were several famous civil rights leaders that were from Michigan or traveled here including Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. A law was passed in 1964 that made it illegal to discriminate people based on race, color, national origin, religion or gender.
There were also positive changes in Michigan including the Motown music and Rock and Roll singers. In 1974, Gerald R. Ford became the President of the United States and was the first president from Michigan. In the 1980’s the automobile industry became too expensive to keep in Michigan. Cars could be made for cheaper in other areas and many automobile plants closed and people lost their jobs. People had to move elsewhere for work. Those that could not leave became poor and the cities began to decay.