Great Lakes Indians And The Making Of America

The Rich History and Culture of Great Lakes Indians

When discussing the foundation of America, it is essential to recognize the significant role played by the indigenous people who inhabited the land long before the arrival of European settlers. Among these influential native tribes were the Great Lakes Indians, a group of diverse and culturally rich communities spread across the region encompassing the five magnificent Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. This article delves into the history, culture, and contributions of the Great Lakes Indians, shedding light on their profound influence in shaping the America we know today.

Masters of Empire: Great Lakes Indians and the Making of America

by Michael A. McDonnell(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8893 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	532 pages

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A radical reinterpretation of early American history from a native point of view

In Masters of Empire, the historian Michael McDonnell reveals the pivotal role played by the native peoples of the Great Lakes in the history of North America. Though less well known than the Iroquois or Sioux, the Anishinaabeg who lived along Lakes Michigan and Huron were equally influential. McDonnell charts their story, and argues that the Anishinaabeg have been relegated to the edges of history for too long. Through remarkable research into 19th-century Anishinaabeg-authored chronicles, McDonnell highlights the long-standing rivalries and relationships among the great tribes of North America, and how Europeans often played only a minor role in their stories. McDonnell reminds us that it was native people who possessed intricate and far-reaching networks of trade and kinship, of which the French and British knew little. And as empire encroached upon their domain, the Anishinaabeg were often the ones doing the exploiting. By dictating terms at trading posts and frontier forts, they played a crucial role in the making of early America. Through vivid depictions of early conflicts, the French and Indian War, and Pontiac's Rebellion, all from a native perspective, Masters of Empire overturns our assumptions about colonial America and the origins of the Revolutionary War. By calling attention to the Great Lakes as a crucible of culture and conflict, McDonnell reimagines the landscape of American history.