North American Indian Tribes of the Great Lakes

Osprey Men at Arms #467

by Michael G. Johnson, Jonathan Smith (Illustrator)

The Great Lakes were the main arena for the fur trade in colonial North America, which drew European explorers and trappers deep into the northern USA and Canada from the 17th century onwards. The desire to control the supply of this luxury item sparked wars between Britain and France, as well as conflicts between rival tribes and the newly formed United States of America, which continued until 1840.

The main tribes of the area were the Huron, Dakota, Sauk and Fox, Miami and Shawnee. All were drawn into the conflicts throughout the Great Lakes region during the French-Indian War (1754-1763), as well as the American Revolution. These conflicts culminated in Black Hawk's War of 1832, as Native American tribes attempted to resist the loss of their lands to white settlers in what is now Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. The defeat of these tribes forever altered the climate of the central American states.

This new addition to Osprey's coverage of Native American tribes details the growth of the fur trade in the Great Lakes area, the various skirmishes, battles and wars that were fought to control this vital trade and important trade area. With specially-commissioned plates, as well as photographs of locations and/or artifacts where available, expert author Michael Johnson also details the lives and material culture - including clothing, equipment and weaponry - of the local tribes themselves before their circumstances were irrevocably altered.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Johnson has researched and written about Native American history and culture for more than 35 years. He received The Denali Press Award (2000) from the American Library Association for the Macmillan Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes.

Reviews

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, lavishly illustrated overview of the culture, organization, and dress of the Great Lakes peoples in the 17th and 18th centuries. The overview of the series of wars with the French, British, and Americans is especially useful.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overview of the religious, cultural and “major” historical wars/territory of the various tribal groups of the Great Lakes region. Including the French and Indian War, Pontiac and Black Hawk (as well as Tecumseh).

[Kaan Akşit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked the book during a visit to Washington DC. It provides what it promises through the title. A major common misunderstanding about Indian tribes is the fact that they are united somehow. Such misconceptions are greatly explained with examples of complex war time historical moments. Conflicts expressed through popular culture are mainly misleading; however within the book you will find why Indian tribes couldn't keep up with the changing environment and the opposition within tribes. Other than that a reader can find interesting things such as where do state names come from, or how were the tribe's clothing across different times in history. Overall starting from the arrival of Europeans and to the current moment of Americans, you will form a greater understanding on the topic. If you are looking for a quick and easy guide on North American Indian history and their relations with European/American powers, this is your educative 101 type of book.

[Paul Vento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information.

Book worth the read if you are I interested in native American history. Good resource for this region of north America.