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
![Link to article: A survey of progressive politics in Wisconsin, 1934](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A survey of progressive politics in Wisconsin, 1934 |
![Link to article: A journalist reviews Progressive achievements, 1900-1930.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A journalist reviews Progressive achievements, 1900-1930. |
![Link to article: Wisconsin passes worker's compensation law, 1911.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin passes worker's compensation law, 1911. |
![Link to article: Charles McCarthy, architect of progressive reforms, is recalled.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Charles McCarthy, architect of progressive reforms, is recalled. |
![Link to article: Campaign literature from Robert La Follette](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Campaign literature from Robert La Follette |
![Link to article: Wisconsin voting and civil rights legislation, 1846-1929.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin voting and civil rights legislation, 1846-1929. |
![Link to article: A survey of socialist viewpoints, 1918](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A survey of socialist viewpoints, 1918 |
![Link to artifacts: A miniature kit teaches mothers about safe homebirths, 1938](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/artifacts.gif) | A miniature kit teaches mothers about safe homebirths, 1938 |
![Link to artifacts: A water glass used by Teddy Roosevelt after being shot, 1912](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/artifacts.gif) | A water glass used by Teddy Roosevelt after being shot, 1912 |
![Link to book: Madison women produce a cookbook to help poor children, 1894](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Madison women produce a cookbook to help poor children, 1894 |
![Link to book: Lawmakers try to end prostitution in 1914](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Lawmakers try to end prostitution in 1914 |
![Link to book: A short history of prison industries, 1852-2002](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A short history of prison industries, 1852-2002 |
![Link to book: Conditions in state prisons, schools, and hospitals, 1955](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Conditions in state prisons, schools, and hospitals, 1955 |
![Link to book: The "Traveling Libraries" program in Wisconsin, 1897](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The "Traveling Libraries" program in Wisconsin, 1897 |
![Link to book: Progressive Era educators design the ideal school, 1907](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Progressive Era educators design the ideal school, 1907 |
![Link to book: A Milwaukee woman urges woman and child labor reform, 1899.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A Milwaukee woman urges woman and child labor reform, 1899. |
![Link to book: A brief summary of women's suffrage legislation in the U.S. and abroad, 1907](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A brief summary of women's suffrage legislation in the U.S. and abroad, 1907 |
![Link to book: An 1897 bicycling guide to Wisconsin](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | An 1897 bicycling guide to Wisconsin |
![Link to book: A guide to Progressivism for women voters, 1922](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A guide to Progressivism for women voters, 1922 |
![Link to images: Francis E. McGovern, Progressive Era governor.](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Francis E. McGovern, Progressive Era governor. |
![Link to manuscript: "Aunt Nellie" offers advice to farm women, 1912-1918](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | "Aunt Nellie" offers advice to farm women, 1912-1918 |
![Link to manuscript: John Deitz makes his case, 1906](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | John Deitz makes his case, 1906 |
![Link to manuscript: The lumber company makes its case against Deitz, 1906](https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | The lumber company makes its case against Deitz, 1906 |