The years 1914-1918 were a time of unusual tension in Wisconsin, as the nations in Europe with which the state's residents identified squared off against one another in a bloody conflict. The sizable German American population, as well as the politically dominant Progressive and Socialist parties, generally opposed American entry into the war in Europe. Wisconsin's most famous politician, Senator Robert La Follette, risked both his reputation and influence first in opposing American entry into the war, and then in opposing ratification of the settlement drafted at the 1919 Peace Conference. Several groups did manage to use the international crisis... more...
![Link to article: Wisconsin develops solutions to wartime shortages](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin develops solutions to wartime shortages |
![Link to article: Two Wisconsin soldiers write home from the front](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Two Wisconsin soldiers write home from the front |
![Link to article: Wisconsin's Telephone Brigade solicits support for the United War Work Campaign, 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin's Telephone Brigade solicits support for the United War Work Campaign, 1918 |
![Link to article: Patriotic songs to welcome home the troops](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Patriotic songs to welcome home the troops |
![Link to article: Wisconsin's National Guard encourages men to enlist](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin's National Guard encourages men to enlist |
![Link to article: Suffrage publications from the Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Suffrage publications from the Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association |
![Link to article: A sketch of the life of Meta Berger](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A sketch of the life of Meta Berger |
![Link to article: The end of war marked by a parade in Sturgeon Bay, 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The end of war marked by a parade in Sturgeon Bay, 1918 |
![Link to article: Health suggestions to help contain the spread of influenza in 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Health suggestions to help contain the spread of influenza in 1918 |
![Link to article: The aims and plans of the Wisconsin Federation of Women Wage Earners](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The aims and plans of the Wisconsin Federation of Women Wage Earners |
![Link to article: A high school biology class organizes a war garden competition, 1917](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A high school biology class organizes a war garden competition, 1917 |
![Link to article: The U.S. Army seeks volunteers in Milwaukee, 1917](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The U.S. Army seeks volunteers in Milwaukee, 1917 |
![Link to article: A German American professor is tarred and feathered, 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A German American professor is tarred and feathered, 1918 |
![Link to article: The Wisconsin Food Administration responds to national food shortages in 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The Wisconsin Food Administration responds to national food shortages in 1918 |
![Link to article: La Follette publicly opposes U.S. entry into the war, 1917](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | La Follette publicly opposes U.S. entry into the war, 1917 |
![Link to article: The State Board of Health seeks to contain influenza, 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The State Board of Health seeks to contain influenza, 1918 |
![Link to article: The Spanish flu sweeps across Wisconsin in 1918](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The Spanish flu sweeps across Wisconsin in 1918 |
![Link to artifacts: Influenza Quarantine sign](/turningpoints/images/artifacts.gif) | Influenza Quarantine sign |
![Link to book: Supporting the war one meal at a time, 1917](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Supporting the war one meal at a time, 1917 |
![Link to book: Bringing peace through backyard gardens, 1919](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Bringing peace through backyard gardens, 1919 |
![Link to book: The Wisconsin men and women who lost their lives during the war](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The Wisconsin men and women who lost their lives during the war |
![Link to book: Wisconsin's contributions to the war, 1919](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Wisconsin's contributions to the war, 1919 |
![Link to book: Julia Grace Wales suggests an influential proposal to end the war, 1915](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Julia Grace Wales suggests an influential proposal to end the war, 1915 |
![Link to book: Descriptions of Wisconsin disasters and catastrophes, 1848-1948](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Descriptions of Wisconsin disasters and catastrophes, 1848-1948 |
![Link to book: Homefront propaganda efforts, 1917-1919](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Homefront propaganda efforts, 1917-1919 |
![Link to book: The Wisconsin Loyalty Legion nurtures patriotism, 1917-18](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The Wisconsin Loyalty Legion nurtures patriotism, 1917-18 |
![Link to images: Milwaukee's former mayor speaks out against WWI](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Milwaukee's former mayor speaks out against WWI |
![Link to images: Life magazine portrays La Follette as a traitor in 1917](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Life magazine portrays La Follette as a traitor in 1917 |
![Link to manuscript: The Board of Health reports on the flu](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | The Board of Health reports on the flu |