Changes

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>

Prior to the [[Civil War]], Wisconsin was an important stop on the [[Underground Railroad]].<ref>[http://www.history.com/topics/us-states/wisconsin Wisconsin]. ''History.com''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> "Wisconsin soldiers fought in every major battle of the Civil War," with the Iron Brigade being the most well-known unit from the state.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-023/?action=more_essay The Iron Brigade, Old Abe and Military Affairs]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref>

Prior to the [[Civil War]], Wisconsin was an important stop on the [[Underground Railroad]].<ref name="History.com">[http://www.history.com/topics/us-states/wisconsin Wisconsin]. ''History.com''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> "Wisconsin soldiers fought in every major battle of the Civil War," with the Iron Brigade being the most well-known unit from the state.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-023/?action=more_essay The Iron Brigade, Old Abe and Military Affairs]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 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"/> 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> The state also had a major logging industry during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-027/?action=more_essay Logging and Forest Products]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 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"/> 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> The state also had a major logging industry during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-027/?action=more_essay Logging and Forest Products]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref>

===Political history===

===Political history===

Wisconsin has an interesting political history that is not easy to define. Prominent political leaders from Wisconsin have come from all sides of the political spectrum,<ref>Vogeler, Ingolf K. & Finley, Robert W. [https://www.britannica.com/place/Wisconsin/Government-and-society Constitutional framework - Wisconin]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> from staunch conservatives like [[Scott Walker]] to Socialists like [[Victor Berger]]. The Republican Party dominated Wisconsin politics from the party's formation until the [[Great Depression]],<ref name="Maturity">Vogeler, Ingolf K. & Finley, Robert W. [https://www.britannica.com/place/Wisconsin/Government-and-society Political and economic maturity - Wisconin]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> but both Republicans and Democrats have performed well in Wisconsin, especially since the Depression.<ref name="Maturity"/><ref name="WSencyc"/><ref>[http://www.270towin.com/states/Wisconsin Wisconsin]. ''270towin.com''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> It is often considered a [[swing state]].

Wisconsin has an interesting political history that is not easy to define. The [[Free Soil Party]] performed above average in Wisconsin in the [[United States presidential election, 1848|1848]]<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1848 1848 Presidential General Election Results]. ''uselectionatlas.org''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> and [[United States presidential election, 1852|1852]]<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1852 1852 Presidential General Election Results]. ''uselectionatlas.org''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> presidential elections.<ref name="RiponGOP">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-022/?action=more_essay Wisconsin and the Republican Party]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref>

 

The [[Free Soil Party]] performed above average in Wisconsin in the [[United States presidential election, 1848|1848]]<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1848 1848 Presidential General Election Results]. ''uselectionatlas.org''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> and [[United States presidential election, 1852|1852]]<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1852 1852 Presidential General Election Results]. ''uselectionatlas.org''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> presidential elections.<ref name="RiponGOP">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-022/?action=more_essay Wisconsin and the Republican Party]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref>

====Formation of the Republican Party====

====Formation of the Republican Party====

When the 1854 [[Kansas-Nebraska Act|Kansas-Nebraska bill]], which became law that same year, was proposed, it met very strong opposition in Wisconsin, regardless of one's political affiliation.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Numerous meeting were held against the bill, and in one of them held in Ripon, Wisconsin, political leaders under the leadership of lawyer [[Alvan E. Bovay]] proposed the creation of a new political party.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Other similar meetings also supported creating a new party, and "in July of 1854, a convention was held in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]] to organize the new party"—the [[Republican Party]].<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Ripon is thus considered by many to be birthplace of the party.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> From the beginning, the Republican Party performed very well in the state.<ref name="RiponGOP"/>

When the 1854 [[Kansas-Nebraska Act|Kansas-Nebraska bill]], which became law that same year, was proposed, it met very strong opposition in Wisconsin, regardless of one's political affiliation.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Numerous meeting were held against the bill, and in one of them held in Ripon, Wisconsin on March 20, 1854,<ref name="History.com"/> political leaders under the leadership of lawyer [[Alvan E. Bovay]] proposed the creation of a new political party.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Other similar meetings also supported creating a new party, and "in July of 1854, a convention was held in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]] to organize the new party"—the [[Republican Party]].<ref name="RiponGOP"/> Ripon is thus considered by many to be birthplace of the party.<ref name="RiponGOP"/> From the beginning, the Republican Party performed very well in the state.<ref name="RiponGOP"/>

====Wisconsin Progressivism====

====Wisconsin Progressivism====

During the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s, Progressivists continued to enact legislation in Wisconsin that expanded government programs and power, this time under the leadership of Robert La Follette's two sons, Robert La Follette Jr. and Phil La Follette.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-045/?action=more_essay Depression and Unemployment]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> In 1934, Progressivist Republicans, who were dissatisfied with the conservatism of both the GOP and the Democrats, split from the GOP and formed the [[Wisconsin Progressive Party]].<ref name="WPP">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wisconsin-progressive-party Wisconsin Progressive Party]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> The party performed very well in the succeeding elections at first, capturing the governorship and state legislature, and was able to enact a "Little New Deal".<ref name="WPP"/> However, the party eventually lost support and was dissolved in 1946.<ref name="WPP"/>

During the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s, Progressivists continued to enact legislation in Wisconsin that expanded government programs and power, this time under the leadership of Robert La Follette's two sons, Robert La Follette Jr. and Phil La Follette.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-045/?action=more_essay Depression and Unemployment]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> In 1934, Progressivist Republicans, who were dissatisfied with the conservatism of both the GOP and the Democrats, split from the GOP and formed the [[Wisconsin Progressive Party]].<ref name="WPP">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wisconsin-progressive-party Wisconsin Progressive Party]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> The party performed very well in the succeeding elections at first, capturing the governorship and state legislature, and was able to enact a "Little New Deal".<ref name="WPP"/> However, the party eventually lost support and was dissolved in 1946.<ref name="WPP"/>

====Socialism====

====Socialism====