Early European Contact and Settlement

The first recorded European contact with what is now Wisconsin occurred in 1634, when French explorer Jean Nicolet arrived in Green Bay. Green Bay would become the first permanent settlement in the state in 1745. Over the next few centuries, the area was primarily settled by French fur traders, and in the late 1700s, European-American settlers began to arrive. Wisconsin officially became the 30th state in the United States in 1848. In 1854, the Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin. The fledgling political party would rise to power with the election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860.

The Civil War and Agricultural Shifts

During the American Civil War, Wisconsin was an important Union state, sending over 90,000 soldiers to fight for the North. Following the war, and with the decline of the state’s wheat industry, farmers in Wisconsin turned to dairy farming. By 1900, the state was the nation’s leading producer of dairy products, including cheese, for which it would become famous. To this day, the state is still referred to as America’s Dairyland. Furthermore, the state’s large population of German immigrants helped make Wisconsin, and particularly Milwaukee, one of the nation’s leading producers of beer.

Progressive Era and Labor Movements

The state also played a significant role in the Progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, enacting a number of reforms aimed at improving the lives of workers and protecting the environment. In the early 20th century, Wisconsin became a hub of union activity, with thousands of workers striking and organizing to demand better wages and working conditions. In 1965 and 1966, the Green Bay Packers football team won the first two Super Bowls.

Recent Political Developments

In recent decades, Wisconsin has continued to be at the forefront of important political and economic issues. In 2011, Governor Scott Walker's controversial collective bargaining reforms sparked massive protests and nationwide attention, while in 2018, the state elected its first female governor, Tony Evers.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was the arrival of Jean Nicolet in 1634 significant for Wisconsin's history?
2. How did the end of the wheat industry influence Wisconsin's identity and economy?
3. What role did immigration play in shaping Wisconsin’s industry and culture?
4. How has Wisconsin continued to influence national politics and labor rights in recent decades?

Glossary

• Fur traders – People involved in the trading of animal pelts, especially common in early French settlements.
• Union state – A U.S. state that supported the North (the Union) during the Civil War.
• Progressive movement – A political reform movement aimed at addressing issues like labor rights, public health, and government corruption.
• Collective bargaining – Negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working conditions.
• Super Bowl – The championship game of the National Football League (NFL), held annually in the U.S.