Minnesota

The North Star State

L’ETOILE DU Nord

Early History

The First man found in Minnesota dates back to about 9000 years ago, but sustained existence was not found until 1,500 years later.

Around 5000BC, the first metal tools were used in Minnesota.

The Hopewell Indians inhabited the area around 200BC and AD400.

By the time Europeans had arrived the Dakota and Ojibwa tribes lived in Minnesota and are believed to be descended from the Mississippian culture.

European Expansion

Pierre Esprit Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers were the first to meet the Eastern Dakota Indians (also called the Sioux) in the late 1600’s.

The Ojiwba tribe, which had come from Maine, had experience trading furs with the French, but the Dakota Indians resented it.

This sparked a continuous conflict between the two tribes from 1730 to 1850

During the Revolutionary War, there was very little activity in this region except for trade with the British

Northwest Ordinance acquired land in Minnesota east of the Mississippi and the Louisiana Purchase acquired Minnesota that was west of the Mississippi.

War of 1812 ended trade with British and established American fur company.

Early Statehood

First called Ft. St Anthony, Ft Snelling served as the main frontier outpost in the west and the center of civilization in Minnesota from the 1820’s to around the 1850’s

By 1849 it was an established territory and by May 11, 1858 it was an official US state

Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial governor, named the capital St. Paul

1850-population of 6,000

1857-population of 150,000

Civil War and The Dakota War

In first presidential election Republicans carried the state

When Civil War broke out Minnesota was the first to answer the call of troops

Supplied 20,000 men to the war

1862 murder of five whites by four Indians led to a bloody uprising in which 300 whites were killed and an unknown number of Indians

38 Dakota captives were hung and the tribes were sent back off the land

The Twin Cities

St Paul and Minneapolis were built on opposite sides of the Mississippi and connected in 1862 by the first railroad in Minnesota

St Paul was the head of river boat transportation, while Minneapolis at St Anthony Falls was known for flour mills ( 27 mills produced more than 2 million flour barrels annually)

Wheat was the cash crop of both cities

European immigrants flooded the cities and by the 1880’s 71% of the non native population was 1st or 2nd generation Europeans

Black Gold

In the late 19th century iron ore was discovered in the Northeast region of Minnesota called the Misabi range

By World War I it had quickly become the nations leading producer of Iron ore

It was used so much that by the 1950’s they had almost run out

Began using Taconite (low grade iron)

Still funds economy today, although restrictions were placed on it in the 1970’s

Recession

In the 1990’s after much economic prosperity things declined

Problems were caused by weather conditions to food production in Minnesota

Farming was halted due to droughts and flooding in the Red River Valley by the Mississippi River

1997 the most severe flood in centuries occurred and labeled parts of the state disaster areas

Today

5 million people; 21st most populous state

Home to the Mall of America in Bloomington; the largest mall in the United States first opened in 1992 (4.2 million square feet, 520 retail outlets, 7 acre amusement park)

The Taconite industry supplies America with 2/3 of its iron ore

It is very artistic as it has more theaters per capita than any other state besides New York

Very nature oriented; has 67 state parks

Land of 10,000 lakes

Interesting Facts

Coldest major urban city in the US

The Mall of America has so many visitors at one time it is causes it to be the third most populated city in Minnesota during the day

Due to the weather in the winter Minneapolis created a skywalk system that covers 52 blocks

Only US land besides Alaska above the 49th parallel; called the Northwest Angle

Name of Minnesota comes from Sioux Indian word that means water that reflects the sky

90,000 miles of shoreline; more than California, Hawaii, and Florida combined

Boating capital of the world(one boat per six people)

Famous People born in Minnesota

Famous People in Minnesota

Important Political People

John S. Pillsbury Mark Dayton

Amy Klobuchar

Major Companies/Sports Teams

State Symbols

State bird- Common Loon

State mushroom- Morel

State gem- Lake Superior Agate

State flower- Lady’s Slipper

State reptile- Blanding’s Turtle

State tree- red pine

State fruit- honeycrisp apple

State fish- Walleye

State song- Hail! Minnesota

State sport- Ice Hockey

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDtqS5iYdko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoaVTanYsbI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRackv76RCw

http://www.exploreminnesota.com/industry-minnesota/featured-programs/2013-minnesota-tourism-video/index.aspx

The End