The Great Lakes were the main arena for the fur trade in colonial North
America, which drew European explorers and trappers deep into the
northern USA and Canada from the 17th century onwards. The desire to
control the supply of this luxury item sparked wars between Britain and
France, as well as conflicts between rival tribes and the newly formed
United States of America, which continued until 1840.
The main tribes of the area were the Huron, Dakota, Sauk and Fox, Miami
and Shawnee. All were drawn into the conflicts throughout the Great
Lakes region during the French-Indian War (1754-1763), as well as the
American Revolution. These conflicts culminated in Black Hawk's War of
1832, as Native American tribes attempted to resist the loss of their
lands to white settlers in what is now Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. The
defeat of these tribes forever altered the climate of the central
American states.
This new addition to Osprey's coverage of Native American tribes details
the growth of the fur trade in the Great Lakes area, the various
skirmishes, battles and wars that were fought to control this vital
trade and important trade area. With specially-commissioned plates, as
well as photographs of locations and/or artifacts where available,
expert author Michael Johnson also details the lives and material
culture - including clothing, equipment and weaponry - of the local
tribes themselves before their circumstances were irrevocably altered.
