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In 1846, Wisconsin voters passed a referendum to become a U.S. state.<ref name="WSconstitution">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-015/?action=more_essay The State Constitutions of 1846 and 1848]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> A constitutional convention met in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], drafting a very "advanced and progressive" constitution in December 1846 that included several controversial measures, such as allowing immigrants who applied for citizenship to vote and black suffrage.<ref name="WSconstitution"/> The proposed constitution was defeated in an April 1847 referendum, and a new convention drafted "a more acceptable and moderate" constitution, which was accepted by the voters in March of 1848.<ref name="WSconstitution"/> Wisconsin was admitted into the Union as the 30th state on May 29, 1848.<ref>[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/wisconsin-enters-the-union Wisconsin enters the Union - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref>

In 1846, Wisconsin voters passed a referendum to become a U.S. state.<ref name="WSconstitution">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-015/?action=more_essay The State Constitutions of 1846 and 1848]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> A constitutional convention met in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], drafting a very "advanced and progressive" constitution in December 1846 that included several controversial measures, such as allowing immigrants who applied for citizenship to vote and black suffrage.<ref name="WSconstitution"/> The proposed constitution was defeated in an April 1847 referendum, and a new convention drafted "a more acceptable and moderate" constitution, which was accepted by the voters in March of 1848.<ref name="WSconstitution"/> Wisconsin was admitted into the Union as the 30th state on May 29, 1848.<ref>[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/wisconsin-enters-the-union Wisconsin enters the Union - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref>

Between 1840 and 1880, Wisconsin was considered "America's breadbasket", with 1/6th of all [[wheat]] grown in the U.S. coming from the state.<ref name="Dairy">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-028/?action=more_essay The Rise of Dairy Farming]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> However, by the end of the 19th Century, dairy farming was becoming prevalent, with mainly [[Germany|German]] and [[Scandinavian]] immigrants taking up the industry.<ref name="Dairy"/> By 1915, Wisconsin produced the most butter and cheese out of every other state.<ref name="Dairy"/>

Between 1840 and 1880, Wisconsin was considered "America's breadbasket", with 1/6th of all [[wheat]] grown in the U.S. coming from the state.<ref name="Dairy">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-028/?action=more_essay The Rise of Dairy Farming]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> However, by the end of the 19th Century, dairy farming was becoming prevalent, with mainly [[Germany|German]] and [[Scandinavian]] immigrants taking up the industry.<ref name="Dairy"/> By 1915, Wisconsin produced the most butter and cheese out of every other state.<ref name="Dairy"/> In addition, skilled manufacturing became prevalent in the state.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-044/?action=more_essay The Rise of Skilled Manufacturing]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref>

Southwestern Wisconsin is now a less heavily populated agricultural region, but for a while it was the economic center of the state. The Southeast, which includes Milwaukee and the suburban corridor running south to Chicago, is now the most populous section of the state.

Southwestern Wisconsin is now a less heavily populated agricultural region, but for a while it was the economic center of the state. The Southeast, which includes Milwaukee and the suburban corridor running south to Chicago, is now the most populous section of the state.

Wisconsin cannot be stereotyped politically. It is often associated with the name of anti-communist crusader of the 1950s [[Joseph McCarthy]], but is equally tied to that of [[Robert M. La Follette]] and his Progressive faction of the Republican Party and the [[Progressive Party]]. Socialists flourished in [[Germania]] in Milwaukee, typified by [[Victor Berger]], the first Socialist Party candidate elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Frank Zeidler, the Mayor of Milwaukee from 1948-1960 was the last in a string of twelve socialist mayors of Milwaukee, whose emphasis on the basics of municipal service led them to be called "sewer socialists."<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-043/?action=more_essay Milwaukee Sewer Socialism, Wisconsin State Historical Association]</ref> The state is usually a battleground in presidential elections.  Its Republicans tend to be moderates, such as [[Tommy Thompson]], who served as a four-term governor from 1987 to 2001, then entered the cabinet.

Wisconsin cannot be stereotyped politically. It is often associated with the name of anti-communist crusader of the 1950s [[Joseph McCarthy]], but is equally tied to that of [[Robert M. La Follette]] and his Progressive faction of the Republican Party and the [[Progressive Party]]. Socialists flourished in [[Germania]] in Milwaukee, typified by [[Victor Berger]], the first Socialist Party candidate elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Frank Zeidler, the Mayor of Milwaukee from 1948-1960 was the last in a string of twelve socialist mayors of Milwaukee, whose emphasis on the basics of municipal service led them to be called "sewer socialists."<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-043/?action=more_essay Milwaukee Sewer Socialism, Wisconsin State Historical Association]</ref> The state is usually a battleground in presidential elections.  Its Republicans tend to be moderates, such as [[Tommy Thompson]], who served as a four-term governor from 1987 to 2001, then entered the cabinet.