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| | ===U.S. territory=== | | ===U.S. territory=== |
| − | On July 13, 1787, the [[Northwest Ordinance]] was adopted by the American [[Second Continental Congress]], which created a provisional government over the land northwest of the [[Ohio River]], including present-day Wisconsin.<ref name="Northwest1787">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-009/?action=more_essay The Northwest Ordinance, 1787]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> [[Slavery]] was prohibited in this territory.<ref name="Northwest1787"/> Wisconsin only saw one conflict on its territory during the [[War of 1812]] at Fort Shelby on St. Feriole Island at Prairie du Chien in 1814.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-010/?action=more_essay The War of 1812]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> Several battles of the 1832 [[Black Hawk War]], including the [[Battle of Wisconsin Heights]], were fought in Wisconsin.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-012/?action=more_essay The Black Hawk War]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> | + | On July 13, 1787, the [[Northwest Ordinance]] was adopted by the American [[Second Continental Congress]], which created a provisional government over the land northwest of the [[Ohio River]], including present-day Wisconsin.<ref name="Northwest1787">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-009/?action=more_essay The Northwest Ordinance, 1787]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> [[Slavery]] was prohibited in this territory.<ref name="Northwest1787"/> Wisconsin only saw one conflict on its territory during the [[War of 1812]] at Fort Shelby on St. Feriole Island at Prairie du Chien in 1814.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-010/?action=more_essay The War of 1812]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> Several battles of the 1832 [[Black Hawk War]], including the [[Battle of Wisconsin Heights]], were fought in Wisconsin.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-012/?action=more_essay The Black Hawk War]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> The first territorial capital was Belmont,<ref>[http://www.belmontwi.com/pages/1/index.htm Belmont Wisconsin] town website</ref> located about thirty miles from Dubuque, Iowa. |
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| | During the first half of the 19th Century, natives lost control over Wisconsin land and whites settled the land.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-013/?action=more_essay Treaty Councils, from Prairie du Chien to Madeline Island]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-011/?action=more_essay Early U.S. Settlement]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> A major survey of Wisconsin began in 1832 in order to measure and subdivide the land, and this would not be complete until 1866.<ref name="Northwest1787"/> On July 4, 1836, due to sufficient population growth, Wisconsin Territory was formed, created out of Michigan Territory.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-014/?action=more_essay The Creation of Wisconsin Territory]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> | | During the first half of the 19th Century, natives lost control over Wisconsin land and whites settled the land.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-013/?action=more_essay Treaty Councils, from Prairie du Chien to Madeline Island]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-011/?action=more_essay Early U.S. Settlement]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> A major survey of Wisconsin began in 1832 in order to measure and subdivide the land, and this would not be complete until 1866.<ref name="Northwest1787"/> On July 4, 1836, due to sufficient population growth, Wisconsin Territory was formed, created out of Michigan Territory.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-014/?action=more_essay The Creation of Wisconsin Territory]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 22, 2016.</ref> |
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| | + | Wisconsin enjoyed a lead mining boom in the 1830s and 40s until the [[California]] gold rush of 1849 drew many miners away. It was a mining state before it became a predominantly agricultural state. Metallic lead could be picked up from the ground without digging. Cornish miners (from Britain) were some of the earliest European settlers of the state.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-026/?action=more_essay Lead Mining in Southwestern Wisconsin]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved November 2, 2016.</ref> |
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| | ===Statehood=== | | ===Statehood=== |
| | 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> |
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| − | The state attracted fur trappers before the American Revolution, and enjoyed a lead mining boom in the 1830s. Wisconsin was a mining state before it was a farm state. Metallic lead could be picked up from the ground without digging. Cornish miners (from Britain) were some of the earliest European settlers of the state.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-026/?action=more_essay Lead Mining in Southwestern Wisconsin]</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"/> |
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| − | Southwestern Wisconsin is now a less heavily populated agricultural region, but for a while it was the economic center of the state. The first territorial capital was Belmont,<ref>[http://www.belmontwi.com/pages/1/index.htm Belmont Wisconsin] town website</ref> located about thirty miles from Dubuque, Iowa. Lead mining peaked in the mid-1840s, and the [[California]] gold rush of 1849 drew many miners away. The current population of Belmont is 891.<ref>[http://www.idcide.com/citydata/wi/belmont.htm Belmont profile], idcide website.</ref> 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. |
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| | 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. |