Pittsville and Wisconsin

This one term course will examine the history and development of the State of Wisconsin and the city of Pittsville. Student projects and class service projects will be a part of the class.

1. Geography and Early History of Wisconsin

Describe the physical geography of the state of Wisconsin including the five geographical areas. 

What is the history of the various Native American cultures in Wisconsin? 

Describe the European colonial period and economic activities such as the fur trade.

2. Settlement and Statehood

Summarize how Wisconsin became part of the United States after the War for Independence? 

Describe how the Northwest Ordinance was  enacted to settle what was called the Northwest

 Territories. 

Summarize how Wisconsin was organized and became the 30th State in the Union in 1848. 

Summarize the role of J.Q. Severns in Pittsville history..

3.  Becoming the Dairy State

Describe the states success in wheat farming between 1840-1880. Why was it so successful?

What was William Dempster Hoard’s answer to replace wheat farming in WI? Why?

What factors helped make dairying successful in our state?

What did the University of Wisconsin do to promote the dairy industry? 

What was most milk used for and why?

By the 1880’s, what vegetables and fruits were being grown commercially in WI? 

What allowed for the meatpacking industry to be successful on a large scale in WI?

4. Immigration and Economy

How did the population of WI change from 1836 to 1860?

What nationality were the largest number of foreign born Wisconsinites?

What was the strongest inducement to come to WI?

Name two cities that indicate southwest WI’s mining past.

When did the lead industry peak and decline in WI?

What Lake Superior cities were founded for the iron ore industry?

What led to the downfall of the first wave of interest in northern iron ore? When was interest renewed and why?

Where did the lumber industry begin in WI and what cities were built to accommodate it?

What did WI’s constitution provide for regarding education? How would it be funded?

What was the purpose of Settlement Houses? How were they funded? 

Describe how and why the Pitts family settled in Pittsville. 

Summarize the role of "King" George Hiles and the lumber industry in central Wisconsin. 

5. Manufacturing in Wisconsin

Compare pre-and post Civil war manufacturing of products in Wisconsin.

List several factors that made Milwaukee a favorable place for manufacturing in the late 19th century.

Who began the Milwaukee based Allis Company and what were they known for producing?

When and where did the papermaking industry begin in WI? What had most of those buildings been before they were converted to papermaking? 

When did brewing begin in WI and by whom?

Why was Milwaukee so associated with brewing beer? 

6. Sporting Tradition in Wisconsin

   1. Why was the Sabbath an occasion for persistent social strife in WI in the 1800 and early 1900’s? 

   2. How did industrialization change folks daily schedules? What was an unfortunate by-product of this change and what did people do to alleviate it? 

   3. When did organized sports first become popular amongst European folk in WI? What were some of the first sports to be done and where did they originate?

   4. What is the sport “that made Milwaukee famous”? Why?

   5. Describe the first Milwaukee Brewers baseball club.

   6. What did Milwaukee do to attract a major league baseball team?

   7. Who brought professional baseball back to Milwaukee in 1970? 

   8. Why is Green Bay’s pro football team called the “Packers”?

   9. What distinction did the expansion Milwaukee Buck earn? Who led the team? 

7. Progressive Politics

   1. What sorts of reforms did Lafollette support once he was elected governor?

   2. What was the “laboratory for democracy”?

   3. Define the “Wisconsin Idea”. 

   4. What was Lafollette's belief about who dominated the American economy and what did he think should be done about it? What magazine did he publish to publicize his ideas? 

   5. What WI city did Socialists come to dominate politically for a time? What were they called and why?

   6. In retrospect, what was the Progressive movement in WI notable for doing? 

8. Wisconsin:1900-1940's

   1. How did Wisconsin’s congressmen vote on the declaration of war?

   2. Discuss some examples of how people of German ancestry were viewed suspiciously during the war. 

   3. Where, and by whom, was the first plant to generate electricity commercially built? What was it used to power?

   4. List the various automobile (and motorcycle) factories that have existed in WI. Where were they located and what type of vehicles did they build? 

   5. What are the four big tourist towns in northern WI? 

9. Wisconsin: 1945-1970's

   1. Summarize how Wisconsin’s residents suffered during the Depression.

   2. What two groups of farmers were formed to try to force the raise of milk prices and what was their main tactic?

   3. How many workers in how many camps did the CCC employ in WI? What kinds of work did they do? 

   4. What cities were revitalized by orders for ships? What company provided munitions? 

   5. What government policies were Wisconsinites divided over after the war?

   6. What were the two contrasting views Americans held regarding McCarthy after he died?

   7. What was Wisconsin’s “brand” of racial inequality based on? 

   8. Why did WI not attract larger numbers of blacks to the state unlike Michigan and Illinois? 

   9. What finally ended Milwaukee’s racial discrimination regarding open housing? What did the city itself do in April of 1968?

   10. Describe the Sterling Hall bombing at UW in 1970? Who did it and why? What group were they part of? How many were killed? Why did they choose Sterling Hall? What was the perpetrators intent? 

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   12. Who is considered the father of the Wisconsin conservation movement and why? What was his most famous book?

   13. In the 20th century, for what reasons did the environmental movement grow? 

   14. What book is Aldo Leopold famous for writing? What attitude about wildlife did it advocate?

   15. The efforts of Senator Gaylord Nelson led to the establishment of what on April 22, 1970? 

   16. What ideas and actions of Nelson led to this?

10.  1980's - 1990’s

    1. How did the conservative movement manifest itself in Wisconsin in the 1980' and 90's?

    2. How did Tommy Thompson reform welfare? 

11. Foodie Fridays

    1. What are some of Wisconsin's top agricultural products?

    2. How can we prepare them and enjoy consuming them?