Michigan

Michigan, originally coming from the Ojibwe word michigamaa is made of two peninsulas. The Upper peninsula and the Lower Peninsula often called the Mitten. Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, more specifically Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie, only not touching Lake Ontario. Michigan is bordered by the States of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, also touching the province of Ontario.

## History

### **Colonial**

Michigan was first part of New France, however after the French and Indian war following the Treaty of Paris in 1763 it was ceded to the British Empire. When the 13 Colonies declared independence Michigan remained under British rule as there was no major population at the time. However, after the Treaty of Paris(1783) it had become part of the Northwest Territory.

### **Statehood**

In 1800 the Indiana Territory was established encompassing most of Modern day Michigan. In 1805 3 years after the admission of Ohio to the Union  the Michigan Territory was established. In 1818 public land sales began in the Territory. In 1825 the Erie Canal was opened. The population in 1830 was 30,000, and in 1837 the year of Statehood it was 87,000. In 1835 Michigan had the population for Statehood, but a border conflict between Michigan and Ohio had emerged.

#### Toledo Strip Conflict

Both States claimed the Toledo strip. Tensions had boiled to a small war known as The Toledo War. Both States deployed Militias, however there were on only a few shots and no casualties, A rivalry continues even to the collapse of the Union. In the summer of 1836 Congress proposed a compromise, Ohio gets Toledo and the Upper Peninsula is ceded to Michigan. Michigan’s people had rejected but following dire Financial Crisis and pressure, and In December they reluctantly agreed. Michigan officially earned Statehood as a free State  on January 26th 1837, It’s Capital being Detroit previously being an important trading port.

### **Immigration and the Civil War**

Michigan between 1844-1852 had voted the Democratic Party only voting the Whigs once in 1840. In 1856 Michigan began a long streak of voting the Republican Party. During the Civil War The State was in the Union losing almost 15,000, and supported the Republican Party until 1908. During the Third wave of Immigration Michigan got many Canadian Immigrants however many German and Polish Immigrants also arrived. Many Scandinavian Immigrants worked in the mines of the Upper Peninsula.

### **Modern History**

#### Secession

The Governor of Michigan at the time of secession is Frank Fitzgerald. The State as of Independence has 3 Political Parties, The Democratic league, The Syndicate of Michigan, and Michigan Union of Fascists all having seats in House and Senate.  The State of Michigan even before 1929 was suffering economic problems, but when the Great Depression hit the unemployment rate skyrocketed to 34%. Auto workers suffered worst, Employment at GM had been cut in half, and only 15% of the population could be supported by private charities. Michigan had not benefited much from Social Security, and with talk of Secession spreading it reached Michigan. There was also talk of Uniting the Great Lakes under one banner in both Left-Wing and Right-Wing circles. The Governor was not in support of this and refused although the idea is still popular

On January 1st 1936 Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes seceded. Michigan's further fate is unknown.

## Economy

Following Statehood Michigan developed a varied Economy. In the Southern part of the State farming is a major industry. In the Detroit area starting in the early 1900s Automobiles such as the Model T were being produced in large quantities from the area, and still continue in 1936. In the North of the Lower peninsula Logging,  is a major industry as this area was settled much less. In the Northern Peninsula mining is a major industry as well as Logging. Across the whole State Wildlife hunting, and Fishing are major economic factors.