British Settlers

printer iconPrintemail iconEmailfavorites iconSave to Favorites

The area wasn’t peaceful for long. As the fur trade became more lucrative, the intensity of the British and French animosity reached its peak, resulting in the French and Indian War in the mid-1700s. The war effectively ended the 145-year French era and, in 1759, ushered in British rule. Skirmishes continued, though, especially around the Straits of Mackinac. Today, museums and historic state parks in the area chronicle the events.

The British ruled the colony with an iron fist. While the French had treated the Native Americans with a certain amount of respect, the British allied themselves with tribes that were traditional enemies of those native to the area. The British actively discouraged settlement of the state’s interior to protect their rich fur empire. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris gave the lands to the newly independent United States.

by Laura Martone from Moon Michigan, 3rd Edition, © Avalon Travel

Buy Moon Travel Guides

Loading books
loading
For more Moon travel information, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for updates on new travel guide releases, travel tips and trip ideas for those seeking adventure or relaxation, and expert advice from our on-the-go Moon travel authors.

Find Activities>>

Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.