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| Third Michigan Capitol |
The Michigan Territory was established aside the Great Lakes region as the North-West Territory by the US. After a border dispute with Ohio, Michigan officially became a state in 1837. The first capital of Michigan was transitioned from a territorial courthouse in Detroit. However, Michigan’s constitution includes a provision that Detroit would remain the capital until 1847.
This provision included Detroit was located in the southeastern part of Michigan and didn’t have good access from other parts of the state than Lansing, which is located almost in the center of the state.
Lansing has good access to other parts of the state. That makes it an ideal place for the state government to meet. Lansing's location also helped deepen to communicate with the other place of the state.
Detroit was the center of the automobile industry and played a leading role in the state's economy. As a result, rather than concentrating on the state government in Detroit, Lansing was chosen as the location that could provide services equally to the entire state.
In conclusion, the capital relocation tells us some hidden political intentions. The intention I understand from them is to ensure safety by getting away from Canadian and British territory. Knowing history and culture well can bring unexpected benefits to us. -Suguru

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