Michigan

Wars History in Michigan

Indigenous Genocide — Ethnic Cleansing of the Anishinaabe (17th–19th Centuries)

The land of Michigan belonged for thousands of years to the tribes of the Anishinaabe Confederacy — the Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa, and Potawatomi — as well as the Wyandot and Miami tribes. From the 17th century onward, French, then British, and finally American colonization drove these tribes from their lands. After Pontiac's War (1763–1766), the Odawa chief Pontiac attempted to unite the tribes against British occupation. In 1794, the Jay Treaty transferred British control of Detroit to the United States. In the 19th century, a series of treaties — including the Treaty of Washington (1836) and the Treaty of La Pointe (1842) — forced the Ojibwe to cede nearly all of Upper Michigan. In 1838, the Potawatomi of Michigan were deported to the distant West. 850 people died on the deadly "Trail of Death" from Indiana to Kansas. This event was part of the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Indigenous America.

River Raisin Massacre — Bloodiest Battle of the War of 1812 (1813)

On January 22, 1813, at the Battle of Frenchtown (River Raisin Massacre) in southern Michigan, British forces and Indigenous allies under Colonel Henry Procter attacked retreating American soldiers. After the Americans surrendered, Procter's Indigenous allies massacred approximately 60 to 100 wounded and captured Americans. The cry "Remember the Raisin" became an American war slogan. This massacre was one of the deadliest events of the War of 1812 on American soil. Total American casualties in this battle were about 400 including killed and captured.

American Civil War — Michigan's Role in Abolition

Michigan played a significant role in the Civil War. About 90,000 Michigan soldiers served in the Union Army. The 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment played a key role at the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), suffering 80% casualties. Governor Austin Blair organized volunteer forces. Detroit was a major Underground Railroad station for fugitive slaves. Michigan was also known for its opposition to slavery and support for abolition.

Class Wars — Suppression of Auto Workers (1932–1937)

Michigan was the scene of intense violence against the labor movement. On March 7, 1932, the Ford Hunger March was held in Dearborn. 3,000 unemployed workers marched to the Ford plant. Dearborn police and Ford security agents under Harry Bennett fired into the crowd. Four workers were killed and 50 wounded. Union leaders were arrested and convicted. In 1936–1937, the Flint Sit-Down Strike led by the UAW shut down General Motors plants. Governor Frank Murphy refused to send the National Guard to crush the strike. This strike led to the recognition of the UAW and was a historic victory for workers. However, forty strikers were wounded by police and the National Guard.

Detroit Uprising (1967) — Rebellion Against Police Occupation

On July 23, 1967, Detroit police raided a Black club on 12th Street. Protests escalated into a full-scale uprising. Governor George Romney deployed 8,000 National Guard troops and 500 federal soldiers to Detroit. For 5 days, the area was under military occupation. 43 people were killed (mostly Black), 1,189 wounded, and 7,200 arrested. Property damage was about $40 million. This was one of the deadliest urban uprisings in US history. The Kerner Commission concluded the uprising resulted from systematic racism, poverty, and police violence. Despite this finding, no fundamental reform occurred.

The Flint Water Crisis — Crime Against Humanity (2014–Present)

In April 2014, the Michigan government under Governor Rick Snyder switched Flint's water source to the Flint River. The water was not treated with iron chloride, causing lead pipes to corrode. 100,000 Flint residents (57% Black) were exposed to lead. 12 people died from Legionnaires' disease. 87 were infected. The government denied the crisis until 2016 when a federal emergency was declared. This was a crime against humanity and environmental genocide targeting a poor Black community. No senior government official was imprisoned. Snyder was sentenced to 30 days in jail.