Wisconsin in AP United States History
Timeline
- 1848: Wisconsin becomes the 30th state
- 1861-1865: Wisconsin contributes over 91,000 troops to the Union Army during the Civil War * 1870s: Wisconsin becomes a major center for farming, lumber, and mining
- 1903: Robert M. La Follette Sr. is elected governor, beginning a progressive era in Wisconsin
- 1911: Wisconsin passes the “La Follette Code,” a series of progressive reforms
- 1924: Wisconsin enacts the first unemployment insurance law in the United States
- 1954: The Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which declares school segregation unconstitutional, originates in Topeka, Kansas, but has a significant impact on Wisconsin
- 1967-1971: Wisconsin Governor Warren Knowles signs legislation creating the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, University of Wisconsin Parkside, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Important Legislation
- La Follette Code (1911): Progressive reforms including a primary election system, voter initiative and referendum, workers’ compensation, and railroad regulation
- Unemployment Insurance Law (1924): The first unemployment insurance law in the United States
- Fair Employment Act (1945): Prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, Religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or physical or mental disability
- Government Accountability Act (1993): Requires state legislators to disclose their income and assets
Important Court Cases
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The United States Supreme Court rules that school segregation is unconstitutional
- Gault v. Arizona (1967): The United States Supreme Court extends due process rights to juveniles in juvenile court proceedings
- Crawford v. Washington (2004): The United States Supreme Court holds that out-of-court statements made by unavailable witnesses must be subject to cross-examination
- Kelo v. City of New London (2005): The United States Supreme Court upholds the government’s power to use eminent domain to take private property for economic development purposes
Major Industry
- Agriculture: Wisconsin is a leading producer of dairy products, corn, and soybeans
- Manufacturing: Wisconsin has a strong manufacturing sector, producing products such as machinery, paper, and chemicals
- Tourism: Wisconsin attracts tourists with its natural beauty, including the Apostle Islands, Door County Peninsula, and the Wisconsin Dells
Impact on the Rest of the Country
- Wisconsin’s progressive reforms in the early 20th century served as a model for other states
- Wisconsin was a major contributor to the Union victory in the Civil War * Wisconsin’s agricultural and manufacturing industries have played a significant role in the nation’s economy
- Wisconsin’s court cases have had a major impact on the development of constitutional law in the United States