Social Studies Chapter 4: Becoming a State

Vocabulary review flashcards covering key people, places, events, and legal terms from Chapter 4 on Michigan's journey to statehood.

Census

The official count of people living in a place.

Erie Canal

A man-made river built in the 1820s connecting New York with Lake Erie that helped many pioneers reach Michigan in the 1830s.

General Anthony Wayne

An American General sent west by President George Washington to kick out the British and control trouble-causing tribes, who finally forced the British to leave Michigan.

Lewis Cass

Governor of the Michigan Territory who served for 18 years, suggested the state motto, and designed the state seal.

War for Independence

Also called the Revolutionary War, a war begun in 1775 fought by the American colonies for independence from the British, leading to the United States becoming its own country in 1783.

Oliver Hazard Perry

An officer in the American navy who fought and won a battle against British ships on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Stevens T. Mason

A governor of Michigan who was only 19 years old when he took office and was given the nickname "Boy Governor."

The War of 1812

A war started by the United States in 1812 to stop the British from bothering the country, which contained the only battles ever fought in or near Michigan.

Toledo War

The argument between Michigan and Ohio about claims to the border, including the land called the Toledo Strip, which had to be settled before Michigan could become a state.

Northwest Ordinance

A set of laws that told how the Northwest Territory was to be governed and how land could be made into states, requiring Michigan to have 60,000 people (not counting Native Americans) to become a state.

Fort Michilimackinac

A famous fort that was moved to Mackinac Island during the War for Independence.

Detroit

One of two important places lost by Michigan in the War of 1812 (along with the fort on Mackinac Island), which served as Michigan's capital before it was moved.

Lansing

The city selected as Michigan's new capital to place it near the center of the settled part of the state.

Monroe

The town near the River Raisin where the only big battle in Michigan occurred during the War of 1812.

Michigan's Native American tribes

The groups who gave up their land through treaties with the United States government and were not counted in the 60,000 population requirement for Michigan statehood.