HISTORY 478/591

HISTORY OF DETROIT AND SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

ASSIGNMENT #1: OUTLINE (50% of grade)

BASED ON TEXT – Wilma Henrickson (ed.), Detroit Perspectives: Crossroads and Turning Points

(Detroit: Wayne State Press, 1991)

Available in libraries and at all EMU bookstores.

Introduction to the Assignment:

The history of Detroit can be divided into any number of time periods and can be understood by looking at a wide range of topics. For the purposes of this class assignment, we will divide it into the time periods below---time periods, which also relate directly to major eras of development in Michigan history:
  1. 1701 – 1796
  2. 1796-1837
  3. 1837-1896
  4. 1896-1945

Within each of the time periods, based directly on the readings from Henrickson, Detroit Perspectives, your assignment is to expand on the skeletal outline provided below. You are to fill in the points given under the main topic headings, maintaining the outline form. When completed, you will have a concise outline of approximately 10 pages based on articles that provide examples of major themes in Detroit history within each of the time periods.

Do NOT get crazy/crazed about this assignment. It is not tricky or difficult. It is just a way to help you organize the readings in an outline form. The same outline form will be used in the lectures during the class periods. SO: if you want to read the articles, make notes, and then wait until class, you will be able to fit it in with your lecture notes during the week and complete it then.

For general and basic information, the best source to consult is Willis F. Dunbar and George S. May, Michigan. A History of the Wolverine State (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans). (any edition---but 1995 is the best)

 

 

OUTLINE:

DETROIT HISTORY, A REFLECTION OF NATIONAL THEMES
    1. THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL EVENTS AND INTERESTS (1701-1796)
    1. The Role of French Imperialization and Colonization
    1. Arrival of French to Detroit (find basic info.)

EXAMPLE: a. Cadillac and party of about 100 arrived, July 1701
    1. Built Ft. Pontchartrain
    2. Built Ste. Anne’s – first church in whole region
    1. Description of Detroit in early 18th century (as described by Cadillac’s Account p. 26.)

EXAMPLE: a. Commander (Cadillac) responsible for accounting to French King (Louis XIV)
    1. Detroit connecting site for Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and St. Lawrence---so fort at a strategic location for control; seen by Cadillac as "necessary" to increasing the glory of the King of France
    2. Wealth of forest resources (walnut, oak, ash, pine)
    3. Much wild life
    4. French commander refers to Indians as "savages" even though they are part of his settlement
    1. British Imperialism and Occupation of Detroit (dates; when and how gained; when and how lost; find basic info.)
    1. DETROIT: ON THE FRONTIER OF THE EARLY AMERICAN REPUBLIC (1796-1837)
    1. American Revolution and its Aftermath
    1. Planning for Land Use (pp. 68-70)
    2. Key Treaties with Indians Give Land to U.S. (p. 41-45; pp. 55-59)
    1. The Process of Moving from Territory to State
    1. Indian Removal Policies---Lewis Cass Explains Reasons (pp. 47-54)
    2. Role of Land Speculators and Land-Hungry Settlers in Bringing Growth (Cass Farm Co., pp. 29-33; U.S. Land Office, pp. 71-73)
    1. Early Transportation Developments—Waterways Expand with Steamboats and the Erie Canal (use lecture info.)
    1. DETROIT IN THE ERA OF EXPANSION (1837-1896)
    1. The People Who Made Expansion Possible (General Information: pp. 79-84)
    1. Internal Migration from New York and New England
    2. Waves of European Migration (pp. 100-114)
    3. African Americans---Slavery to Freedom (pp. 85-93)
    1. Civil War Interrupts Lives, Promotes Expansion (pp. 145-162)

       

    2. Work and Wealth in 19th Century Detroit
    1. The Immigrant Experience in the Economy (pp. 100-114)
    2. The Yankee Elite (pp. 172-190)
    3. Economic Diversity: Factories, Businesses, and Jobs (can use lecture information to describe this)
    1. Post-War Social and Political Changes
    1. Issues of Black Suffrage and School Desegregation (pp. 163-171)
    2. The Gilded Age (General pp. 193-196; and 203-207; 213-217 for specific examples)
    3. Detroit and Progressive Reform (General: pp. 221-224)
    1. Hazen Pingree, Reform Mayor (pp. 229-234)
    2. Belle Isle Park (pp. 225-228)
    3. School Reform Issues (pp. 235-246)

 

    1. DETROIT MOVES INTO A POSITION OF INDUSTRIAL MIGHT AND INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT (1896-1945)
    1. The Auto Industry
    1. The early auto leaders and companies (find basic info. About key companies; pp. 277-281)
    2. The City’s Landscape Is Changed by Industry
    1. The Example of Zug Island (pp. 282-284)
    2. Housing and Neighborhoods
    1. Detroit Industrialists Take the Lead – The Five Dollar Day (pp. 285-287)
    1. The Impact of World War I
    1. Detroit – a Major War Producer (find general info.)
    2. Women in the Workforce
    1. A Decade of Contradictions: The 1920’s (pp. 299-303)
    1. The Red Scare (pp. 304-314)
    2. Ossian Sweet Case (pp. 315-317; pp. 322-327)
    3. Racism Among Leaders and Politicians (pp. 318-321; 328-339)
    4. Mobs and Organized Crime (pp. 340-344)
    1. The Great Depression
    1. Early Signs of Trouble Before 1929 (pp. 351-361)
    2. Conditions in the 1930’s (can use lecture info.; also pp. 262-269)
    1. Rise of Labor Unions
    1. Opposition from Industrialists (find general info. Also; pp. 370-376)
    2. Recognition of Unions (pp. 377-385)
    3. Violence Accompanied Efforts to Organize (pp. 386-390)
    1. World War II: The Arsenal of Democracy
    1. Producing for War (pp. 401-407)
    2. Conditions on the Detroit Homefront (general info., pp. 397-400)
    3. Wartime Tensions (pp. 408-417; 418-428)