Early Immigration from Northern Europe

A Timeline of European Immigration to Minnesota

1837: The Ojibwe and Dakota tribes lost land in both Minnesota and Wisconsin in exchange for cash to the United States Government.

1851: The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was signed. Treaty negotiations lasted over three weeks.

1803: The United States of America purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. This purchase includes the western portion of Minnesota.

1849: Minnesota officially became a United States territory.

1854: St. Paul was officially founded.

1855: In an 1855 treaty, the Ojibwe people lost a large portion of land to the United States government. This treaty created the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs reservations.

1857: The Dred Scott decision ruled that an enslaved person who resided in a free state was not entitled to his freedom. This changed the way Minnesotans welcomed formerly enslaved people who made their way to the state.

1858: Minnesota became one of the 32 states. Henry Sibley was installed as the first governor of Minnesota.

1861: The United States civil war began. Minnesota began to send men for service in the Union Army.

1862: More than 500 white civilians, soldiers, and Dakota people were killed in a conflict later called the Dakota War, and an attempt to “kill the Indian, save the man” began to gain traction.

38 Dakota men who were involved in the Dakota war were executed in Mankato in the largest mass execution in our country’s history.

1863: In the Treaty of 1863, the Ojibwe people lost their rights to land in the Red River Valley.

1865-1868: State Legislators voted down an amendment granting formerly enslaved people suffrage. The amendment was voted down in 1865, 1866, and 1867. The amendment finally passed in 1868.

1887: The American Protective Association was officially founded. The American Protective Association was an anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic group.

1883: A tornado swept through Rochester, killing 35. Mayo Clinic was founded after this tragic event by Dr. William Mayo, and later the hospital would become world-renowned.

1896: The Minneapolis Millers won the Western league baseball pennant.

1890: The Iron Range opens.

1899: The Spanish-American war begins. Minnesota has many volunteers who serve in the war.

1908: The Mesabi strike occurs on the Iron Range. Workers protested against ethnic discrimination, working conditions, and low wages.

1916: The Mesabi strike occurs once again on the Iron Range. The workers fought for higher wages and an eight-hour workday.

1917: The United States officially enters WW1. Over 100,000 Minnesotans served in the war.

1917: A watchdog group called the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety is formed. This commission took control of the state's public safety, regulatory, and military functions.

1918: The Cloquet Fire erupted in Minnesota. Many people were injured, displaced, or lost their lives due to the devastating fire.

1920: In Duluth, three black men were lynched by a mob after being accused of assault. The names of these men were Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Issac McGhie.

1920: The census showed that 237 Mexican Americans and more than 29,000 Finns lived in Minnesota. Most of the immigrants in this time frame were farmers seeking their own land and a better economic life. Some succeeded in acquiring their own land; others worked in the iron mines and other industries in Minnesota.

1924: The Johnson-Reed Act was passed. This act limited the number of immigrants through quotas.

1925-1928: 850,000 Norwegians immigrated to Minnesota during this time frame. They came for a variety of reasons, including overpopulation in Norway, greater economic opportunities in the U.S., and the desire to acquire their own land for farming.

1928: Walter Mondale, future Vice President of the United States, was born in Ceylon, Minnesota.

1929: The Great Depression began in the United States. Bankruptcy occurs across the state affecting businesses and loss of jobs for many Minnesotans.

1931: Our Lady of Guadalupe was founded in St. Paul.

1938: Harold Stassen, a gubernatorial candidate, used anti-Semitic innuendo in his campaign.

1940: Armistice Day Blizzard hits Minnesota. Over a twenty-four-hour period, 16.8 inches of snow were recorded. Forty-nine people died in this tragic blizzard, and the state and residents suffered huge financial damages.

1950: The Korean war begins. Throughout the war, over 600 Minnesota residents died, and many more served.

1960: John F. Kennedy overcame anti-Catholic rhetoric and bigotry to win the presidential election.

1960: The Washington Senators move from Washington, D.C. to Minnesota, renaming the Minnesota Twins.

1960: The Minnesota Vikings are founded in Minneapolis.

1968: The American Indian movement was founded in Minneapolis. This group was founded to protect the rights of Native Americans.

1970: The 1970 census finds that 1% of the state's population is black. Americans.

1976: The first Hmong families arrive in Minnesota. Minneapolis is identified as one of the key locations for Hmong refugees.

1984: Former Minnesota senator and Vice President Walter Mondale runs for President of the United States against Ronald Regan and losses.

1987: The Minnesota Twins win the World series.

Bibliography

1. Atkins, Annette. Creating Minnesota : a History from the Inside Out. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2007. 

2. Conzen, Kathleen Neils, and Minnesota Historical Society. Germans in Minnesota. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2003.

3. “Data by Topic - Historical Decennial Data.” MN State Demographic Center, February 20, 2020. https://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/historical-decennial-dat

4. “Explore.” Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed April 7, 2022. https://www.mnhs.org/explore.

5. Folwell, William Watts. A History of Minnesota. Minnesota: Minnesota historical society, 1922, 1930.

6. Gjerde, Qualey, Holm, Qualey, Carlton C., and Holm, Bill. Norwegians in Minnesota. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press : Published in cooperation with the Norwegian-American Historical Association, 2002.

7. Gustafson, Neil C, and John S Adams. “Adaptation and Growth. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed January 5, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/place/Minnesota/Adaptation-and-growth.

8. Holmquist, Holmquist, June Drenning, and Minnesota Historical Society. They Chose Minnesota : a Survey of the State's Ethnic Groups. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press,1981.

9. Knudson, Shirley R. History of Watonwan County, Minnesota. Dallas, TX: Curtis Media,1995.

10. “Learn.” Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed April 7, 2022. https://www.mnhs.org/millelacs/learn.