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Detroit History, Michigan

History spells the difference for a lot of people, places and events.  Recognition of these situations should be given due credit in order to enrich the existence of a certain community.  Detroit, Michigan has a lot of events which makes it an even more interesting place to visit.  Some of the notable occurrences in its history are listed below.

The 1600’s

The French settlers inhabited the strait found in North America known as le Detroit.  The river was considered wide enough to relay messages from one camp to another.  Canons may also have been fired from one end to the other.  This led to Cadillac’s establishment of a settlement known as Fort Ponchartrain in Detroit in the year 1701.

The fort was however not the first to settle in the area.  The issue as who came before was not determined, however traces of Jesuits and Native Americans were seen.  Mound Builders were also present in the area.  They were regarded as the first people who inhabited the Great Lakes.

The French Occupation

This period was still under the French Rule.  Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac headed to this area intending to invade the North Americas.  This was after all French trading posts closed leading to drastic effects in their economy.  He managed to establish his own trading area in Detroit thus occupying the city. 

His attempt to Europeanize Native Americans was supported by the French government.  He used these people to help him establish an empire that would make him earn profit for himself.  He found Detroit as a major trading area thus expanding business opportunities in the area.

The British Occupation

For several years, the French ruled over Detroit.  They have always exerted efforts for possibilities of British Colonies to trade in the west.  On April 30, 1745, however, 100 England ships arrived at the fort.  The troop of 3600 men was led by Colonel William Pepperell.  After a 10-week struggle, they have succeeded in their attempt to conquer the French fort.  This was short-lived in nature because in 1748, a treaty named Aix La Chapelle was done in favor of France, giving back Detroit to the latter.

After 11 years, however, the French group was taken over by Britain.  It was in July 1759, after Britain ruled over Fort Niagara that the French were forced to abandon their posts.  During the rule of Great Britain, Detroit’s posts flourished and the inhabitants’ lives were enriched as well.

  Present Day Detroit

With the many settlements that flunked Detroit, it was impossible to achieve independence for the state.  They found it hard to break the rules of the land and the only way they could do away with it was to go with the flow.  With their efforts however, people of Detroit created a name for themselves.  They achieved the independence they wanted and to this day, they rekindle their being free from invasions.

 
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  • mohds2The short story of Detroit
    review by mohds2 posted more then 30 days ago
    Detroit is a large city in the state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. It is a main port city on Detroit River, in the Midwest area of the United States. Situated north of Windsor, Detroit is the main U.S. city that appears south ofCanada. Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded...
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Read our members' travel tips about Detroit


  • asterixCultural city tour in Detroit
    travel tip by asterix posted more then 30 days ago
    Choosing the Cultural Center tour of Preservation Wayne was a great choice for me, because this way I was able to get a bigger picture of Detroit’s cultural heritage. It is wise to arrive early and dress properly because due to...
  • cipristbMotown Historical Museum in Detroit
    travel tip by cipristb posted more then 30 days ago
    The most amazing historical museum regarding music I’ve ever seen and experienced. The first thing our guide showed us was Berry Gordy’s house with its surrounding rooms which later was transformed into the Museum. We were explained...
  • Sayuri87Greektown - A Bit of Europe in Detroit
    travel tip by Sayuri87 posted more then 30 days ago
    I was so amazed when I went to see the famous Greektown district in downtown Detroit last summer. I would have never thought a district such as this could survive for so long. It is said that there were Germans who first established the...
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