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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| Charles McCarthy, architect of progressive reforms, is recalled. |
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| Wisconsin passes the nation's first worker's compensation law, 1911. |
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| A survey of progressive politics in Wisconsin, 1934 |
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| A journalist reviews Progressive achievements, 1900-1930. |
| A water glass used by Teddy Roosevelt after being shot, 1912 |
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| A miniature kit teaches mothers about safe homebirths, 1938 |
| Progressive Era educators design the ideal school, 1907 |
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| Conditions in state prisons, schools, and hospitals, 1955 |
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| The "Traveling Libraries" program in Wisconsin, 1897 |
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| 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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| A guide to Progressivism for women voters, 1922 |
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| Lawmakers try to end prostitution in 1914 |
| Francis E. McGovern, Progressive Era governor. |
| The lumber company makes its case against Deitz, 1906 |
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| John Deitz makes his case, 1906 |
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| "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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