History of Wisconsin

The region around Wisconsin was first explored by the French explorer, Jean Nicolet in 1634. Following the French and Indian Wars in 1763, the land passed on to Great Britain; and became part of the United States in 1783.

The region around Wisconsin has been inhabited since 10,000 years. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the region was inhabited by Ojibwa, Sauk, Fox, Kickapoo, and Pottawatomie tribes. The earliest people who lived in the region were mound builders of the Menominee; they were followed by Winnebago Indians.

The first European to visit the place was the French explorer Jean Nicolet in 1634. He was followed by the expeditions led by Pierre Radisson and Medard des Groseilliers to Green Bay in 1654-1666. These explorers established fur trade with local American Indians. The land passed on to the British following the French and Indian War in 1763. However, the French continued to stay in the region and explorers like Charles de Langlade, settled in Wisconsin in 1764. The region was ceded to the United States in 1783 and in 1787 became part of the northwest territory. It then became part of the Indiana Territory, the Territory of Illinois, and then the Michigan Territory.

The prospect of lead mining in the early 1820s brought an influx of white settlers called "Badgers" in the state. The state gets its nickname the "Badger State" from these settlers. The natives lodged a movement against the whites but surrendered after Winnebago War of 1827 and the Black Hawk War of 1832. After these conflicts, the territory of Wisconsin was organized in 1836. Owing to the increase in the population, the demand for statehood began in 1846. A legislation was passed the same year and on May 29, President James K. Polk signed the bill that made Wisconsin the thirtieth state of the United States.

The economy of the state diversified in the early years of statehood. Agriculture became a major occupation, the building of railroads and industries like J.I. Case and Company in Racine boosted the economy. During the 1860s, the state became one of the leading producers of wheat in the nation.

The early twentieth century was marked by considerable changes in both the social and the political arena. Conservationists including Aldo Leopold helped re-establish the forests of the state thus paving way for the lumber and paper milling industry. Tourism also became important. Republican leader, Robert M. La Follette championed the progressive movement in the state. Between 1901 and 1914, the first comprehensive statewide primary election system was established.

The anti-communist crusades of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s, the radical anti-war protests at UW-Madison were some of the crucial events that dominated the mid-twentieth century. The economy transformed as heavy industry and manufacturing declined and medicine, education, agribusiness, and tourism became the prime drivers of the economy of the state.