Unit 5: The Midwest

Thousands of years ago, huge glaciers traveled very slowly across parts of the Midwest, leaving large holes that became the Great Lakes. When the glaciers melted, they created rivers that left rich soil important for fertile farmlands. The glaciers also created flatlands and plains, which slowly lead to hills and mountains. The Black Hills in South Dakota is peppered with caves and mountains. The Badlands are also in the Midwest, formed when wind and water chipped away very dry land. The climate of this region ranges from very hot in the summer, to very cold in the winter. Lake effect by the Great Lakes occurs when wind from the lakes cools the land in summer and warms the land in winter. The Great Lakes are a great resource for this region's economy. Other resources important to the economy are rich soil for agriculture, iron for steel production, and wind used to make electricity.

Native Americans were the first Midwesterners. Today, the Ojibwa and Lakota people live in reservations or thriving communities throughout the Midwest. Many people decided to settle in this region because of the fertile soil. Later, European immigrants settled in cities around the Great Lakes. African Americans headed to these cities to escape slavery and to find jobs. Each culture celebrates their traditions and heritage with unique festivals. Indianapolis, Indiana is home to several famous races like the Indy 500 and the United States Grand Prix. Famous Midwesterners include Laura Ingalls Wilder, T. S. Eliot, and Alison Krauss.