AP United States History: Minnesota
Timeline:
- 1680: French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, visits the area.
- 1763: Ojibwe and Dakota Native Americans capture Fort St. Anthony from the British.
- 1803: Louisiana Purchase includes present-day Minnesota.
- 1819: Fort Snelling established at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.
- 1849: Minnesota Territory created.
- 1858: Minnesota becomes a state.
- 1862: Sioux Uprising occurs in southern Minnesota.
- 1893: Iron ore discovered on the Mesabi Range.
- 1909: University of Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic founded.
- 1917: Minnesota joins the United States in World War I.
- 1941: Minnesota joins the United States in World War II.
- 1957: St. Lawrence Seaway opens, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
- 1965: Hubert H. Humphrey becomes the first Minnesotan to be nominated for POTUS.
- 1992: Paul Wellstone elected to the United States Senate.
- 2008: Amy Klobuchar elected to the United States Senate.
Important Legislation:
- 1854: Minnesota Enabling Act establishes the Territory of Minnesota.
- 1858: Minnesota Organic Act establishes the State of Minnesota.
- 1907: Minnesota Conservation Forestry Act protects the state’s forests.
- 1913: Minnesota Minimum Wage Act is passed, one of the first in the nation.
- 1993: Minnesota Health Care Reform Act expands health insurance coverage to uninsured Minnesotans.
Important Court Cases:
- 1914: Cooley v. Board of Wardens: The Supreme Court ruled that the state of Pennsylvania could not use discriminatory pilotage laws to exclude Maryland pilots from operating in its waters.
- 1947: McLaughlin v. Florida: The Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s all-white primary law was unconstitutional.
- 1969: Minnesota v. U.S. Steel: The Supreme Court ruled that the national government had the authority to enforce the Clean Air Act in regulating air pollution.
Major Industry:
- Mining (specifically iron ore): The Mesabi Range contains one of the largest deposits of iron ore in the world. Mining has been a major industry in Minnesota since the late 19th century.
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Agriculture: Minnesota is a major agricultural state, producing soybeans, corn, and wheat.
- Healthcare: The Mayo Clinic is a world-renowned medical center and an innovator in medical research.
- Politics: Minnesota has a long history of progressive politics and has been home to several prominent politicians, including Hubert H. Humphrey, Paul Wellstone, and Amy Klobuchar.
- Arts and culture: Minnesota is known for its strong arts and culture scene, including the Guthrie Theater, the Walker Art Center, and the Minnesota Orchestra.