History DB
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HIS2113_Lesson12_EconomicExpansion.pptxMichigan history
Early Economic Expansion
Economic Expansion
During late 1800s, Michigan’s economy was primarily driven by timber, including sawing, harvesting, and milling of the state’s trees.
Railroad transportation revolutionized personal travel and freight shipping, allowing more rapid economic expansion.
Timber!
Michigan landscapes were dominated by substantial stands of trees.
Southern Michigan hardwoods initially had little market value.
Red and White pine was highly valued and harvested during late 1800s.
33,000 acres per year were clear cut from 1860-1900.
Timber! Wealth and Poverty
The Timber Industry was a source of employment and wealth.
Timber Cruisers
Lumber Barons
Political Corruption
Native Americans suffered much because of the Timber Industry.
Mortgage fraud!
Arthur Hill and Ezra Rust
Timber! Cutting and Milling
Lumberjacks – “shanty boys”
Employed immigrants, Indians, and landless laborers
Work was dangerous and work conditions miserable.
The timber industry was seasonal work.
Cutting took place between September and March.
Transportation of felled trees took advantage of winter weather.
Company competition was fierce on waterways.
Timber! Cutting and Milling
Social and Economic developments
Small towns sprung up on Michigan’s many rivers.
40,000 men worked in Michigan forests during 1884-1885.
Nature or Money?
As late as 1900, Michigan was leading producer of Pine in U.S.
Many environmental Issues caused by timber industry
Timber! The Environment
Fire
Fire threatened the timber industry and the communities they sustained.
1871 – Holland, Lansing, the Thumb
1881 – The Thumb
Is Fire “natural?”
Timber in Michigan’s economy today.
18.6 million acres
200,000 jobs and $12 billion revenue.
Railroads
Railroads underscore the story of Michigan’s economic growth through the 1800s
Commerce favored rail transportation because its speed, low cost, and seasonable flexibility.
Technology and rules limited rail travel during the mid 1800s to 10/mph.
Many Michiganders opposed railroads early on, particularly farmers.
The Great Railroad Conspiracy - Abel F. Fitch
The Age of Railroads
During the late 1800s, towns and cities were built up around railroad junctions.
Train depots became community centers and symbols.
Railroads promoted new technology and cultural changes before declining in the mid-1900s:
Time zones consolidated
Elijah McCoy – Detroit Lubricator Company
Express trains (limiteds) – 60/mph
International tunnels at Port Huron (1891) and Detroit (1909)
