Progressivism and the Wisconsin Idea
In the first quarter of the twentieth century, Wisconsin leaders began to seek new answers to problems caused by an increasingly industrial and technological society. To a people born and raised mostly on farms, the explosive growth of cities, rising importance of large-scale industry, transformation of the workforce by new immigrants and rigid class stratification, and the overall speed of daily life brought uncertainty and confusion. In other states social movements such as the Greenback Party and Populist Party tried to address these changes, but little was accomplished in Wisconsin until after the year 1900 when "Progressives" gained control of... more...
Original Documents and Other Primary Sources
| Campaign literature from Robert La Follette |
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| Wisconsin voting and civil rights legislation, 1846-1929. |
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| Wisconsin passes the nation's first worker's compensation law, 1911. |
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| Charles McCarthy, architect of progressive reforms, is recalled. |
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| A journalist reviews Progressive achievements, 1900-1930. |
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| A survey of progressive politics in Wisconsin, 1934 |
| A water glass used by Teddy Roosevelt after being shot, 1912 |
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| A miniature kit teaches mothers about safe homebirths, 1938 |
| A short history of prison industries, 1852-2002 |
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| Madison women produce a cookbook to help poor children, 1894 |
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| Lawmakers try to end prostitution in 1914 |
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| A guide to Progressivism for women voters, 1922 |
| Francis E. McGovern, Progressive Era governor. |
| "Aunt Nellie" offers advice to farm women, 1912-1918 |
| A co-operative creamery spurs the growth of dairying in Prentice |
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| Wisconsin State Capitol |
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| Home of John R. Commons |
Primary Sources Available Elsewhere
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| Wisconsin Blue Books |
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| A history of women's education at the University of Wisconsin |
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| Labor and truancy laws for women and children, 1912 |
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| What girls need to know to contribute to society in 1913 |
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| State regulations for women workers, 1920 |
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| The autobiography of John R. Commons (1934) |
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| A Republican politician describes changes in government regulating powers |
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| "The Wisconsin Idea" (1912) |
| Documents relating to child welfare organizations |
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A timeline of Wisconsin labor, 1883 to the present
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