Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:

Read More About It

"A History of Ripon, Wis." by Samuel Pedrick

"The Republicans: From Lincoln to Bush" by Robert Allen Rutland

"The History of the Republican Party" by Norma Jean Lutz

Vocabulary:

founded

pro-slavery

initial

officially

controversial

Interesting Fact:

The Republican Party today is often called the G.O.P., which stands for Grand Old Party, a nickname the political party has had since the 1880's.

Study Questions:

What was so controversial about the Kansas-Nebraska bill and why did some people not like it?

Who is Alan Bovay? What is his background?

How quickly did the Republican Party rise to power in Wisconsin?

U.S. historical events that occurred on February 28:

1993: Federal agents serve warrants to the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas, resulting in the deaths of four federal agents and six cult members, starting a 51-day standoff.

February 28

February 28, 1854: The Republican Party was founded in Ripon in protest of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, a pro-slavery bill in Congress. The initial planning meeting on this date at the home of Alvan Bovay was followed by another on March 20 when the new party was officially formed after Congress passed the controversial bill.

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