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Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State
This standard textbook on Michigan history covers the entire scope of the Wolverine State's historical record -- from when humankind first arrived in the area around 9,000 B.C. up to 1995. This third revised edition of Michigan also examines events since 1980 and draws on new studies to expand and improve its coverage of various ethnic groups, recent political developments, labor and business, and many other topics. Includes photographs, maps, and charts.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
781 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1965
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About the author
Willis Frederick Dunbar
16 booksWillis Frederick Dunbar (1902-1970) was an American educator and historian.
He served as a faculty member and dean at Kalamazoo College, and a faculty member and department chairperson at Western Michigan University.
Dunbar also served as the vice mayor of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1951-1953, 1955-1957. He was program director and director of public affairs at WKZO a Kalamazoo, Michigan, radio station, 1943-1951. He served as President of the Michigan Historical Society and the Michigan Historical Commission.
He served as a faculty member and dean at Kalamazoo College, and a faculty member and department chairperson at Western Michigan University.
Dunbar also served as the vice mayor of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1951-1953, 1955-1957. He was program director and director of public affairs at WKZO a Kalamazoo, Michigan, radio station, 1943-1951. He served as President of the Michigan Historical Society and the Michigan Historical Commission.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 30, 2020
Super comprehensive, surprisingly readable history from ancient times to present day. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Michigan history. However it's important to be aware of it's blind spots and biases. The authors refer to the existence of Native people at the time of settlement of United States citizens as "the Indian problem." They contend that unions just weren't necessary in the 30s because working conditions were so great. They trot out the simplistic paradigm of the civil rights movement that says MLK was the "peaceful" one and Malcolm X was the "violent" one. So overall this book is very useful, but make sure to seek out other sources from the perspective of marginalized groups, per the usual.
June 29, 2020
This is an excellent history of my once home state of Michigan. I focused on its early history as a largely unknown territory, “out west,” before it became a state in 1837.
In the 18th century, the activity in eastern North America was concentrated on the colonies along the Atlantic seaboard. The area to the north and west was under the jurisdiction of France. The land around the Great Lakes was hardly controlled by anyone except for the French fur traders, the voyageurs (and later, the French missionaries), who traded with the Indians for furs. The upper Peninsula of Michigan was very much in the thick of this lucrative operation. The lower peninsula was left largely untouched.
The French increasingly bumped heads with the British in North America and on the European continent. In 1786, the Treaty of Paris that ended the French and Indian War in America resulted in the French giving up their lands east of the Mississippi to the British. In 1776, when the colonies declared their independence, Dunbar notes that while the tax on tea (“no taxation without representation”) was seen as the rallying cry for the independence push by the colonies in the east, it was the cost of maintaining the lands west of the Alleghenies that necessitated the British need for revenue. In 1783, when the Americans won their independence, some of the colonies had extensive land claims to the west. Massachusetts claimed all of western New York; Connecticut claimed the northern tier running from mid-Lake Erie to the Mississippi River; and Virginia claimed the lands south of Ohio, to the Mississippi River. By 1800, the states had given up their claims to the western territories as the new USA was being put together
Though Michigan had become part of the British-ceded territory to the USA, the British control and influence remained heavy, especially at Detroit and the Straits of Mackinaw. Settlers pushed west, and increasingly infringed on Indian lands that resulted in skirmishes of one sort or another. In 1787, the western lands became the Northwest Territory (the area north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River under the jurisdiction of the US, except that Connecticut retained ownership of the lands in Northeast Ohio known as the “Western Reserve”). Connecticut sold this land to speculators of the Connecticut land Company who in turn sold it to the settlers. Massachusetts rewarded its veterans with land in western New York. The fur trade continued heavily with John Jacob Astor wresting control from the British (the Hudson Bay Company) and used liquor as an inducement for the Indians to bring his company furs (“the Indians killed for British goods,” Dunbar writes). The Northwest Ordinance (1787) had established a government for these lands and outlined a process for admitting new states to the Union. Ohio had become a state in 1803. In 1805, Michigan in the old Northwest Territory became the Territory of Michigan, which included Indiana and Illinois. In 1816 and 1818 respectively, Indiana and Illinois became states, and parts of Wisconsin were added to Michigan’s territory. In 1836, a boundary dispute with Ohio over the so-called Toledo strip was resolved in Ohio’s favor, but Michigan was given the western half of the Upper Peninsula in return. With that, Michigan gained statehood in 1837. (The Wisconsin lands and Iowa and some of the Dakotas became the Wisconsin Territory).
Treaties were signed with the Indians in this area to place them in reserves but eventually they were relocated further west. This included the 1821 Treaty of Chicago that in time removed the Potawatomies from southwestern Michigan. Lands now became available to the settlers pushing west from the east, which became particularly heavy after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1826. Many in Ohio and western New York moved further west, to Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan, initially off the main emigration route, saw a heavy influx in the late 1820s and 1830s.
All in all, this is a good account by Dunbar from the American perspective. Back then, the lands in the soon-to-be USA were fought over by France and Britain. If not the USA, it may have been French or the British. The Indians never had a chance. Their downfall began with ships that were capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
In the 18th century, the activity in eastern North America was concentrated on the colonies along the Atlantic seaboard. The area to the north and west was under the jurisdiction of France. The land around the Great Lakes was hardly controlled by anyone except for the French fur traders, the voyageurs (and later, the French missionaries), who traded with the Indians for furs. The upper Peninsula of Michigan was very much in the thick of this lucrative operation. The lower peninsula was left largely untouched.
The French increasingly bumped heads with the British in North America and on the European continent. In 1786, the Treaty of Paris that ended the French and Indian War in America resulted in the French giving up their lands east of the Mississippi to the British. In 1776, when the colonies declared their independence, Dunbar notes that while the tax on tea (“no taxation without representation”) was seen as the rallying cry for the independence push by the colonies in the east, it was the cost of maintaining the lands west of the Alleghenies that necessitated the British need for revenue. In 1783, when the Americans won their independence, some of the colonies had extensive land claims to the west. Massachusetts claimed all of western New York; Connecticut claimed the northern tier running from mid-Lake Erie to the Mississippi River; and Virginia claimed the lands south of Ohio, to the Mississippi River. By 1800, the states had given up their claims to the western territories as the new USA was being put together
Though Michigan had become part of the British-ceded territory to the USA, the British control and influence remained heavy, especially at Detroit and the Straits of Mackinaw. Settlers pushed west, and increasingly infringed on Indian lands that resulted in skirmishes of one sort or another. In 1787, the western lands became the Northwest Territory (the area north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River under the jurisdiction of the US, except that Connecticut retained ownership of the lands in Northeast Ohio known as the “Western Reserve”). Connecticut sold this land to speculators of the Connecticut land Company who in turn sold it to the settlers. Massachusetts rewarded its veterans with land in western New York. The fur trade continued heavily with John Jacob Astor wresting control from the British (the Hudson Bay Company) and used liquor as an inducement for the Indians to bring his company furs (“the Indians killed for British goods,” Dunbar writes). The Northwest Ordinance (1787) had established a government for these lands and outlined a process for admitting new states to the Union. Ohio had become a state in 1803. In 1805, Michigan in the old Northwest Territory became the Territory of Michigan, which included Indiana and Illinois. In 1816 and 1818 respectively, Indiana and Illinois became states, and parts of Wisconsin were added to Michigan’s territory. In 1836, a boundary dispute with Ohio over the so-called Toledo strip was resolved in Ohio’s favor, but Michigan was given the western half of the Upper Peninsula in return. With that, Michigan gained statehood in 1837. (The Wisconsin lands and Iowa and some of the Dakotas became the Wisconsin Territory).
Treaties were signed with the Indians in this area to place them in reserves but eventually they were relocated further west. This included the 1821 Treaty of Chicago that in time removed the Potawatomies from southwestern Michigan. Lands now became available to the settlers pushing west from the east, which became particularly heavy after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1826. Many in Ohio and western New York moved further west, to Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan, initially off the main emigration route, saw a heavy influx in the late 1820s and 1830s.
All in all, this is a good account by Dunbar from the American perspective. Back then, the lands in the soon-to-be USA were fought over by France and Britain. If not the USA, it may have been French or the British. The Indians never had a chance. Their downfall began with ships that were capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
May 6, 2025
One of the best in-depth historical texts about Michigan I have ever read. Aside from the lack of women's perspective throughout the state's history, almost every other group is recognized in this book. I think I would have enjoyed this text better had it not been assigned reading for college. Some areas brought a new meaning to "info-dumping," but overall it was a great, informative read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get down to the specifics of what makes Michigan the state it is today.
February 13, 2013
This is a very, very, very dense book. It is an impressive, sweeping overview of Michigan History taking it from the earliest days of French exploration uo to the mid 90s. It is slow reading because there's so much information there, but is a very good resource for people interested in michigan history.
August 13, 2021
What an amazing book. Took a class in College called Michigan History and this was our textbook. It's a great read that covers a vast amount of our states history and cultural influences. It's an easy read too, which is nice for a history book as sometimes history books are hard to read because of the level of detail. This book provides the right amount of detail to keep it engaging without loosing the reader in facts. Definitely one of my favorite reads.
April 4, 2024
Pretty dang thorough. I will say there are huge chunks that are not the most thrilling to read, but I'd honestly chalk that up more to the subject matter than the author. After all, you can't expect economic developments to be that gripping of a read.
Anyway, the content is thorough and provides much nuance.
Anyway, the content is thorough and provides much nuance.
July 28, 2021
I really enjoy the history of the early pioneer period tothe industrial revolution. From that point on, the authors sped up and gave a cursary view of the politics and industrial progress of the state. I enjoyed read this book.
February 24, 2018
Willis Dunbar has written a concise, readable history of the wonderful state of Michigan. Unfortunately, this book – while thorough – is now somewhat outdated as it is fifty years old. However, for all of the history up to that time, this book succeeds in its purpose to educate, while occasionally entertaining. Dunbar was a professor of history at Western Michigan University and this book was written mainly to help his students learn about Michigan history. However, Dunbar did not write in a strictly academic manner, and while he did not have the flair of a David McCullough, he did write an informative text which is easy to read.
Dunbar goes back to pre-colonial America, to the fragmentary shreds of history surrounding the Indian (this was written before the term Native American came into the common usage that it has today, mostly replacing the word “Indian”) tribes that inhabited what is now Michigan. Due to its location and severe climate, the land was sparsely inhabited, even by the various tribes. Slowly, the white man moved into the state, and sadly, took the land away from the Indians. This was not a brutal takeover like it was in the southern states, but nonetheless the Indians were ejected from the land and sent far out West. First it was the French, then the British, and then, for a very brief period, the Spanish, before Michigan became a part of the new nation of America.
The review of how Michigan's borders became official was interesting. Originally, Michigan's southern border was to extend to the southern tip of Lake Michigan, and then in a straight line East to Lake Erie. However, both Ohio and Indiana became states prior to Michigan. Indiana wanted to have some shoreline on Lake Michigan also, and petitioned Congress to move its norther border up ten miles, which Congress promptly agreed to. Thus, Gary, Michigan City, South Bend, and Elkhart all became Indiana cities. Meanwhile, Ohio demanded to have jurisdiction over the mouth of the Maumee River at Lake Erie. A “war” was technically fought over this, although thankfully nobody was killed. Dunbar details how Andrew Jackson and Congress were predisposed to give Ohio what it wanted as Ohio already had political clout due to being a state, whereas Michigan was still a Territory. Jackson refused to support Michigan's bid for statehood unless Michigan agreed to give up the Maumee River land. Thus, Michigan was forced to accept an alteration of its border with Ohio. So, when you look at Michigan's southern border today, and see how Indiana is further north than Ohio, but how the Michigan-Ohio line runs NE to Lake Erie, that is why.
At times, Dunbar gets a bit carried away with statistics, reciting the number of tons of iron ore processed in succeeding years. He has a good chapter on Michigan's contribution to the Civil War, and how it affected the state in various ways. He also spends considerable time discussing the Upper Peninsula and its vast, though limited and rapidly depleted, resources. Were he writing this today, I think that far more attention would have been paid to the shameless destruction of Michigan's many forests, especially those in the northern Lower Peninsula, and also in the Upper Peninsula. Dunbar barely touches on the ecological and environmental impacts that this greediness caused. Today, we have a much keener sense to pillaging of natural resources. Yet even back then (late 1960s), Dunbar knew that it was wrong.
The part of the book up to right after the Civil War is chronological in structure, and I found this part of the book to be the most enjoyable and interesting. Michigan's founding and subsequent development, along with the many fights over who controlled its land, was enlightening. Post-Civil War, Dunbar switches to a topical format (and he does warn of this at the beginning of the book). While I understand why he did this, it breaks up the continuity of the book and it no longer seemed like a concise history of the state. I would have preferred him to have continued chronologically, showing how – as the population increased and industry expanded – Michigan struggled to cope with the attendant problems that those developments brought.
While much of the book still stands up well, it could definitely use an updated version to take Michigan the rest of the way through the 20th century and now into the 21st. The parts concerning pre-20th century Michigan are still worthwhile to read. After all, not too much has changed concerning the review of Michigan's founding and the activities that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. I do not recommend this for everyone; I am from Michigan and even though I no longer live there I still consider it my home state and always will. Anyone not from the state most likely would have little interest in the state's history. But for anyone who is from there or resides there and has an interest in how the state came into being, I do not see where you would find a better resource.
Grade: B-
Dunbar goes back to pre-colonial America, to the fragmentary shreds of history surrounding the Indian (this was written before the term Native American came into the common usage that it has today, mostly replacing the word “Indian”) tribes that inhabited what is now Michigan. Due to its location and severe climate, the land was sparsely inhabited, even by the various tribes. Slowly, the white man moved into the state, and sadly, took the land away from the Indians. This was not a brutal takeover like it was in the southern states, but nonetheless the Indians were ejected from the land and sent far out West. First it was the French, then the British, and then, for a very brief period, the Spanish, before Michigan became a part of the new nation of America.
The review of how Michigan's borders became official was interesting. Originally, Michigan's southern border was to extend to the southern tip of Lake Michigan, and then in a straight line East to Lake Erie. However, both Ohio and Indiana became states prior to Michigan. Indiana wanted to have some shoreline on Lake Michigan also, and petitioned Congress to move its norther border up ten miles, which Congress promptly agreed to. Thus, Gary, Michigan City, South Bend, and Elkhart all became Indiana cities. Meanwhile, Ohio demanded to have jurisdiction over the mouth of the Maumee River at Lake Erie. A “war” was technically fought over this, although thankfully nobody was killed. Dunbar details how Andrew Jackson and Congress were predisposed to give Ohio what it wanted as Ohio already had political clout due to being a state, whereas Michigan was still a Territory. Jackson refused to support Michigan's bid for statehood unless Michigan agreed to give up the Maumee River land. Thus, Michigan was forced to accept an alteration of its border with Ohio. So, when you look at Michigan's southern border today, and see how Indiana is further north than Ohio, but how the Michigan-Ohio line runs NE to Lake Erie, that is why.
At times, Dunbar gets a bit carried away with statistics, reciting the number of tons of iron ore processed in succeeding years. He has a good chapter on Michigan's contribution to the Civil War, and how it affected the state in various ways. He also spends considerable time discussing the Upper Peninsula and its vast, though limited and rapidly depleted, resources. Were he writing this today, I think that far more attention would have been paid to the shameless destruction of Michigan's many forests, especially those in the northern Lower Peninsula, and also in the Upper Peninsula. Dunbar barely touches on the ecological and environmental impacts that this greediness caused. Today, we have a much keener sense to pillaging of natural resources. Yet even back then (late 1960s), Dunbar knew that it was wrong.
The part of the book up to right after the Civil War is chronological in structure, and I found this part of the book to be the most enjoyable and interesting. Michigan's founding and subsequent development, along with the many fights over who controlled its land, was enlightening. Post-Civil War, Dunbar switches to a topical format (and he does warn of this at the beginning of the book). While I understand why he did this, it breaks up the continuity of the book and it no longer seemed like a concise history of the state. I would have preferred him to have continued chronologically, showing how – as the population increased and industry expanded – Michigan struggled to cope with the attendant problems that those developments brought.
While much of the book still stands up well, it could definitely use an updated version to take Michigan the rest of the way through the 20th century and now into the 21st. The parts concerning pre-20th century Michigan are still worthwhile to read. After all, not too much has changed concerning the review of Michigan's founding and the activities that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. I do not recommend this for everyone; I am from Michigan and even though I no longer live there I still consider it my home state and always will. Anyone not from the state most likely would have little interest in the state's history. But for anyone who is from there or resides there and has an interest in how the state came into being, I do not see where you would find a better resource.
Grade: B-
April 24, 2016
An in-depth look at the history of Michigan from the 1600s to the 1970s. Thoughtful and informative, I did learn quite a bit from this book and it helped show me Michigan's role in the history of the United States. It is very dense but one should expect that of a single book covering over 300 years of history.
My largest problem with the book is Professor Dunbar's portrayal of Native American tribes in the beginning. While in some ways he does portray the tragic history of tribes in the state, and is realistic in some portrayals, such as the fact that Native tribes did tend to play the Americans/British/French against each other, he also starts the book by portraying Native tribes as "primitive", disregarding any complexity to the culture these tribes had. It may be that Professor Dunbar is simply a victim of the bias of the time he lived in, yet I was disappointed at his portrayal nevertheless.
My largest problem with the book is Professor Dunbar's portrayal of Native American tribes in the beginning. While in some ways he does portray the tragic history of tribes in the state, and is realistic in some portrayals, such as the fact that Native tribes did tend to play the Americans/British/French against each other, he also starts the book by portraying Native tribes as "primitive", disregarding any complexity to the culture these tribes had. It may be that Professor Dunbar is simply a victim of the bias of the time he lived in, yet I was disappointed at his portrayal nevertheless.
November 1, 2007
I decided to read this book since I am a new resident of the State of Michigan. It is an interesting insight into an area dominated by Natives, French, British, & Americans. It delves into economics, politics, religion, & arts. It opens up a view into a State that many think of as the "State of Detroit," when it is so much more. I enjoyed this book, even though it can drag along at times. But it is a good work, and I have enjoyed it immensely.
November 30, 2011
I was assigned this book as a class text for my Michigan history course. As I set about to read what was surely to be another dry, boring history book I found myself pleasantly surprised. Interesting, and insightful, it was an absolute dream. The content was not too dry and kept me entertained and I placed the names in the book with the names of Detroit and it's surrounding areas' common municipalities. It was insightful for any Michigan native to see the history of our home state.
April 11, 2012
Yes, it's a textbook. But Dunbar & May know how to pick out the details are meaningful, and also that are interesting. No one will read every page, but when there is a topic you need to know about, this is the place to turn first.
Bruce Catton's history of the state rides on his reputation, and is not much more than fluff.
Bruce Catton's history of the state rides on his reputation, and is not much more than fluff.
April 1, 2013
Originally published in 1965, this historical overview was written by the Chairman of the History Dept, Western Michigan University, and remains unchallenged as the most comprehensive history of Michigan to this date. Thorough, well balanced and scholarly. I first read it more than 10 years ago, and have pulled it off my shelve many, many times since then.
February 8, 2013
Very detailed, long, history of Michigan.
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January 16, 2019Thorough history of Michigan. Not enough Kalamazoo for my tastes, but enjoyable nonetheless. Dry in parts, but fascinating in others.
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