4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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)
17. 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
