<p> This work focuses on Detroit from 1805 to 1812, with a focus on the changes brought about by the advent of the Michigan Territory and the reaction to those changes by the predominantly French-speaking citizens of the town. This work relies on previously underutilized petitions and memorials drafted and circulated by the francophone citizens of Detroit to argue that these citizens had a real and profound interest in the political and legal future of their town, contrary to what past historians have written. The thesis is organized into three chapters. The first gives a brief history of Detroit from its founding in 1701 until the start of the Territory of Michigan in 1805. The second examines the conflicting desires of the local population and the new administration in rebuilding the towns following its destruction by fire in June 1805, in particular the issues involving land title, locations of new lots, and the enclosure of Detroit's commons. The third chapter examines controversies surrounding the "Americanization" of the legal system in Detroit and the desire of the French-speaking population to have a system more in keeping with their traditional practices.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:1601110 |
| Date | 06 October 2015 |
| Creators | Pollock, Jeffrey Robert |
| Publisher | The University of Toledo |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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