Poster
Vandalized Victor Berger Campaign Poster
| Campaign poster for Victor Berger (1860-1929), U.S. Senatorial campaign. The poster was used by Berger, Socialist candidate for the U.S. Senate in the campaign to succeed Paul O. Hustin, held in April 1918. Berger ran on the anti-war platform and was dubbed by all the loyalists as being a friend of the German Kaiser. The poster has been vandalized so the words "For an Early, General and Lasting Peace" is followed by the phrase "of the Russian kind" in parentheses. Additionally, the likeness of Berger has been sketched upon to portray him wearing an early Pickelhaube combat helmet, decorated with the iron cross, and wearing the typical moustache of the Kaiser. |
| Image ID: | 57783 |
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| Creation Date: | circa 1915 |
| Creator Name: | Unknown |
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| Collection Name: | Victor L. Berger papers, 1862-1980 |
| Genre: | Poster |
| Original Format Type: | prints, photomechanical |
| Original Format Number: | PH 5-1487 |
| Original Dimensions: | 22 x 14 inches |
| An American Socialist leader and Congressman, Berger was born in Austria-Hungary. He studied at universities in Budapest and Vienna, then emigrated in 1878 to the United States and settled in Milwaukee. After 1892 he devoted himself to Socialist politics and journalism, editing the Milwaukee Vorwärts! from 1892 to 1898. With Eugene V. Debs he was instrumental in the creation of the American Socialist party. In 1910, his leadership helped the Socialists win control of Milwaukee government for many years. Berger was elected the first Socialist member of Congress and served from 1911 to 1913. He was reelected in 1918 and 1919. Congress excluded his seat on grounds of sedition, a charge for which he was sentenced to a 20-year prison term. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed this decision in 1921. He was allowed to take his seat when reelected in 1922. Again elected in 1924 and 1926, he was defeated in 1928. Voice and Pen (1929) is a collection of his speeches and editorials. Berger was the first elected Socialist member of Congress, initially serving from 1911-1913. |
| Clothing and dress |
| Hats |
| Men |
| Mustaches |
| Elections |
| Political campaigns |
| Political posters |
| Socialist Party (U.S.) |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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