North American Indian Tribes of the Great Lakes

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.

Michael G Johnson has researched Native American history and culture for more than 35 years. He has written a number of books on the subject in the Men-at-Arms series, including Men-at-Arms 344: Tribes of the Sioux Nation. In July 2000 he was presented with The Denali Press Award by the American Library Association, for his Macmillan Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. He has contributed to exhibitions for the Arts Council of Great Britain and the American Museum in Bath, UK, and has visited more than 30 Indian communities and reservations.