Preface -- Introduction: The prehistoric people of the Upper Mississippi River Valley -- [ch.] 1. The Mdewakanton and the challenge of Euroamericans -- [ch.] 2. 'A thoroughly sordid affair' : the land transfers of 1851 -- [ch.] 3. Settling Suland : the new Minnesotans arrive -- [ch.] 4. Staking a claim for a new life : the struggle for Goodhue County land -- [ch.] 5. Minnesota's two civil wars : a nation and a state divided -- [ch.] 6. Postwar prosperity : agricultural boom and industrial growth -- [ch.] 7. Growth of business and industry : the stirrings of labor -- [ch.] 8. Becoming 'American' : the challenge of assimilation -- [ch.] 9. Progressivism on the prairie : the politics of reform -- [ch.] 10. The growing economic base : a better life for working people -- [ch.] 11. Surviving adversity : overcoming challenges at home and abroad -- [ch.] 12. The march of progress : technology improves daily life -- [ch.] 13. The Great War abroad : conflict at home -- [ch.] 14. The Twenties : years of hope and reform -- [ch.] 15. Descent into the Great Depression -- [ch.] 16. Lingering depression and new threats of war -- [ch.] 17. Triumphant America faces new challenges -- [ch.] 18. Decades of change -- [ch.] 19. Toward the millennium.