Michiganders were bitterly opposed to slavery. The easterners who had settled Michigan were against slavery, and the Europeans who later moved to Michigan also thought it was wrong. Even though opposed to slavery, in 1850, Michiganders voted against allowing blacks to vote.
The present-day Republican political party had its beginnings in Michigan, and one of the reasons it was formed was to oppose slavery.
The Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escape to freedom, had several "stations" in Michigan.
