Michigan

Michigan in U.S. History

Timeline

1671: Founding of Fort St. Ignace, the first European settlement in Michigan
1763: Michigan becomes part of the British colony of Quebec
1783: Michigan is ceded to the United States by Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris
1805: Michigan Territory is established
1837: Michigan becomes a state
1854: Michigan passes the Fugitive Slave Law
1861-1865: Michigan contributes over 90,000 troops to the Union Army during the Civil War * 1870s-1880s: Michigan experiences a period of rapid industrial growth, particularly in the automotive industry
1913: Michigan passes the Michigan Mother’s Pension Act, one of the first laws in the United States to provide financial assistance to single mothers
1935: Michigan signs the Social Security Act
1941-1945: Michigan’s economy booms during World War II due to the production of war materials
1954: Michigan’s Brown v. Board of Education case helps to desegregate schools
1967: Detroit experiences the 12th Street Riot, one of the most violent urban uprisings of the 20th century
1970s: Michigan’s economy declines due to the rise of foreign competition in the automotive industry
1990s: Michigan’s economy recovers due to the growth of the healthcare and technology industries
2008: Michigan is hit hard by the Great Recession

Important Legislation

Important Court Cases

Major Industry

Impact on the Rest of the Country

Michigan has been a major center of automotive manufacturing for over a century, and its industry has had a significant impact on the U.S. economy.
Michigan was a battleground state in the Civil War, and its contributions to the Union Army helped to ensure the preservation of the Union.
Michigan’s Brown v. Board of Education case was a landmark decision in the fight for civil rights, and it helped to pave the way for the desegregation of schools.
Michigan has been a leader in the development of social welfare programs, such as the Michigan Mother’s Pension Act and the Social Security Act.

Carson West