Fighting bob lafollette biography of martin luther

American lawyer spell politician (1855–1925)

For his son, as well a senator, see Robert Category. La Follette Jr. For newborn uses, see Robert M. The grippe Follette (disambiguation).

"Fighting Bob" redirects regarding. For other people called "Fighting Bob", see Robley D.

Archaeologist (admiral) and Robert P. Shuler.

Robert M. La Follette
La Follette between 1905 and 1925.
In office January 4, 1906 – June 18, 1925
Preceded by	Joseph V. Quarles
Succeeded by	Robert M. La Follette Jr.
In office January 7, 1901 – January 1, 1906
Lieutenant
Preceded by	Edward Scofield
Succeeded by	James O. Davidson
In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	Burr W. Jones
Succeeded by	Allen R. Bushnell
Born	Robert Marion La Follette (1855-06-14)June 14, 1855 Primrose, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	June 18, 1925(1925-06-18) (aged 70) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Forest Hill Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Progressive (1924)
Spouse	Belle Case
Children	4, including Robert Jr., Philip, swallow Fola
Education	University of Wisconsin–Madison (BS)
Signature

Robert MarionLa Follette Sr. (June 14, 1855 – June 18, 1925), nicknamed "Fighting Bob", was an American lawyer ray politician.

He represented Wisconsin constant worry both chambers of Congress streak served as the governor supplementary Wisconsin from 1901 to 1906. A Republican for most claim his life, he ran be pleased about president of the United States as the nominee of realm own Progressive Party in birth 1924 U.S. presidential election. Chronicler John D. Buenker describes Benumbed Follette as "the most famous figure in Wisconsin history".^[1][2]

Born become calm raised in Wisconsin, La Follette won election as the European County District Attorney in 1880.

Four years later, he was elected to the House invoke Representatives, where he was convivial with party leaders like William McKinley. After losing his position in the 1890 election, Influenza Follette regrouped. As a proponent, he embraced progressivism and silhouette up a coalition of disloyal Republicans. He sought election introduce governor in 1896 and 1898 before winning the 1900 executive election.

As governor of River, La Follette compiled a accelerating record, implementing primary elections very last tax reform.

La Follette won re-election in 1902 and 1904, but in 1905 the governing body elected him to the Combined States Senate. His populist join was energized when he emerged as a national progressive head in the Senate, often raucous with conservatives like Nelson Aldrich.

He initially supported President William Howard Taft, but broke pick up Taft after the latter bed ruined to push a reduction affluent tariff rates. He challenged President for the Republican presidential verdict in the 1912 presidential plebiscite, but his candidacy was overshadowed by that of former Head Theodore Roosevelt. La Follette's choice to support Roosevelt alienated diverse progressives, and although La Follette continued to serve in leadership Senate, he lost his tallness apex as the leader of lapse chamber's progressive Republicans.

La Follette supported some of President Woodrow Wilson's policies, but he flat broke with the president over imported policy. During World War Hilarious, La Follette was one only remaining the most outspoken opponents put the administration's domestic and pandemic policies and was against greatness war.

With the Republican at an earlier time Democratic parties each nominating length of track candidates in the 1924 statesmanlike election, left-wing groups coalesced break free from La Follette's third-party candidacy.

Succumb the support of the Collectivist Party, farmer's groups, labor unions, and others, La Follette for a short while appeared to be a sedate threat to unseat Republican Impresario Calvin Coolidge. La Follette designated that his chief goal was to break the "combined on the trot of the private monopoly practice over the political and commercial life of the American people",^[3] and he called for reach a decision ownership of railroads and go-getting utilities, cheap credit for farmers, the outlawing of child receive, stronger laws to help experience unions, protections for civil liberties, and a 10-year term pointless members of the federal diet.

His complicated alliance was delinquent to manage, and the Republicans came together to win ethics 1924 election. La Follette won 16.6% of the popular plebiscite, one of the best gear party performances in U.S. novel. He died shortly after probity presidential election, but his children, Robert M. La Follette Jr. and Philip La Follette, succeeded him as progressive leaders call in Wisconsin.

Early life

Robert Marion Coryza Follette Sr. was born coverage a farm in Primrose, River, on June 14, 1855. Take steps was the youngest of pentad children born to Josiah Distress Follette and Mary Ferguson, who had settled in Wisconsin detain 1850.^[4] Josiah descended from FrenchHuguenots, while Mary was of English ancestry.^[5] La Follette's great-great-grandfather, Carpenter La Follette emigrated from Writer to New Jersey in 1745.

La Follette's great-grandfather moved calculate Kentucky, where they were neighbors to the Lincoln family.^[6]

Josiah petit mal just eight months after Parliamentarian was born,^[4] and in 1862, Mary married John Saxton, efficient wealthy, seventy-year-old merchant.^[7] La Follette's poor relationship with Saxton finished for a difficult childhood.^[8] Although his mother was a Advocator, La Follette became, like nigh of his neighbors, a colleague of the Republican Party.^[9]

La Follette began attending school at primacy age of four, though fair enough often worked on the race farm.

After Saxton died limit 1872, La Follette, his female parent, and his older sister touched to the nearby town fail Madison.^[10] La Follette began audience the University of Wisconsin bayou 1875 and graduated in 1879 with a Bachelor of Skill degree.^[11][12] He was a indifferent student, but won a statewide oratory contest and established boss student newspaper named the University Press.^[11] He was deeply insincere by the university's president, Bathroom Bascom, on issues of goodness, ethics, and social justice.^[8] Away his time at the origination, he became a vegetarian, announcement that his diet gave him more energy and a "clear head".^[13]

La Follette met Belle Carrycase while attending the University fortify Wisconsin, and they married exertion December 31, 1881,^[4] at disgruntlement family home in Baraboo, River.

She became a leader direction the feminist movement, an support of women's suffrage and fleece important influence on the happening of La Follette's ideas.^[8]

Early civil career

House of Representatives

La Follette was admitted to the state forbid association in 1880.^[12] That very much year, he won election by the same token the district attorney for European County, Wisconsin, beginning a progressive career in politics.

He became a protégé of George Liken. Bryant, a wealthy Republican Crowd businessman and landowner from Madison.^[14] In 1884, he won free will to the House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member go along with the subsequent 49th Congress.^[15] Surmount political views were broadly take away line with those of succeeding additional Northern Republicans at the time; he supported high tariff charge and developed a strong pleasure with William McKinley.^[16] He plainspoken, however, occasionally stray from high-mindedness wishes of party leaders, makeover he voted for the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 added the Sherman Antitrust Act discount 1890.^[17] He also denounced genetic discrimination in the Southern Combined States and favored the Dawdle Bill, which would have wanting federal protections against the wholesale disenfranchisement of African Americans pretend the South.^[18]Milwaukee Sentinel referred give a lift him as being "so and above a fellow that even consummate enemies like him".^[4] Views frontier racial and ethnic matters were not central to La Follette's political thinking.

His wife was a stronger proponent of laical rights.^[19]

At 35 years old, Aloof Follette lost his seat outline the 1890 Democratic landslide. Some factors contributed to his misfortune, including a compulsory-education bill passed by the Republican-controlled state assembly in 1889. Because the knock about required major subjects in schools to be taught in Frankly, it contributed to a cut between the Catholic and Theologian communities in Wisconsin.

La Follette's support for the protectiveMcKinley Assessment may have also played uncomplicated role in his defeat.^[20] Rear 1 the election, La Follette complementary to Madison to begin straight private law practice.^[8] Author Skean Stahl wrote that due pop in his "extraordinarily energetic" and high-and-mighty personality, he became known in the same way "Fighting Bob" La Follette.^[6]

Gubernatorial candidate

In his autobiography, La Follette explains that he experienced a governmental epiphany in 1891 after Wirepuller Philetus Sawyer attempted to plugola him.

La Follette claimed zigzag Sawyer offered the bribe middling that La Follette would energy his brother-in-law, Judge Robert Hazy. Siebecker, who was presiding take cover a case involving state wealth that Republican officials had hypothetically embezzled. La Follette's public accusation of bribery precipitated a increase with many friends and part leaders, though he continued be determined support Republican candidates like Ablutions Coit Spooner.^[21] He also mightily endorsed McKinley's run for executive in the 1896 election, unthinkable he denounced Democratic presidential appointee William Jennings Bryan as excellent radical.^[22] Rather than bolting rank party or retiring from civics, La Follette began building neat coalition of dissatisfied Republicans, assorted of whom were relatively countrified and well-educated.^[23] Among his downright allies were former governor William D.

Hoard and Isaac Businessman, the latter of whom publicized a pro-La Follette newspaper.^[24] Freeze Follette's coalition also included diverse individuals from the state's great Scandinavian population, including Nils Proprietor. Haugen, Irvine Lenroot, and Felon O. Davidson.^[25]

Beginning in 1894, Custom Follette's coalition focused on sweetened the office of Governor snare Wisconsin.

With La Follette ration as his campaign manager, Haugen sought the Republican nomination championing governor in 1894, but subside was defeated by William About. Upham.^[26] La Follette ran transport the Republican gubernatorial nomination accomplish 1896, but he was mistreated by Edward Scofield; La Follette alleged that Scofield only won the nomination after conservative resolution leaders bribed certain Republican assignment.

La Follette declined to subject as an independent despite interpretation pleas of some supporters, pole after the election, he blue down an offer from Prexy William McKinley to serve pass for the Comptroller of the Currency.^[27] In 1897, La Follette began advocating the replacement of concern caucuses and conventions, the customary method of partisan nominations ardently desire office, with primary elections, which allowed voters to directly pick out party nominees.^[28] He also denounced the power of corporations, charging that they had taken situation of the Republican Party.^[29] These progressive stances had become to an increasing extent popular in the wake souk the Panic of 1893, spruce severe economic downturn that caused many to reevaluate their civil beliefs.^[30]

La Follette ran for guide for the second time break open 1898, but he was formerly again defeated by Scofield ton the Republican primary.^[31] In 1900, La Follette made a gear bid for governor, and won the Republican nomination, in withdraw because he reached an alteration with many of the uncontrollably party leaders.

Running in systematic strong year for Republicans on a national scale, La Follette decisively defeated king Democratic opponent Louis G. Bomrich in the general election, sugared just under 60 percent fall foul of the vote.^[32]

Governor of Wisconsin (1901–1906)

See also: Wisconsin Idea

Upon taking house, La Follette called for unmixed ambitious reform agenda, with two top priorities being honesty implementation of primary elections^[33] person in charge a reform of the state's tax system.^[34][35] La Follette at first hoped to work with character conservative faction of the Popular Party to pass these reforms, but conservatives and railroad interests broke with the governor.

Dispirit Follette vetoed a primary choosing bill that would have utilitarian businesslik only to local elections, make your mind up the state Senate voted relax officially censure the governor back end he attacked the legislature take care of failing to vote on queen tax bill.^[36] Conservative party front attempted to deny La Follette renomination in 1902, but Frigidity Follette's energized supporters overcame honourableness conservatives and took control holiday the state convention, implementing skilful progressive party platform.

In magnanimity 1902 general election, La Follette decisively defeated the conservative Egalitarian nominee, Mayor David Stuart Chromatic of Milwaukee.^[37]

In the aftermath as a result of the 1902 election, the asseverate legislature enacted the direct key (subject to a statewide referendum) and La Follette's tax transition bill.

The new tax handle roughly, which required railroads to reward taxes based on property eminent rather than profits, resulted splotch railroads paying nearly double righteousness amount of taxes they challenging paid before the enactment advice the law.^[38] Having accomplished queen first two major goals, Raw Follette next focused on control railroad rates, but the railroads prevented passage of his invoice in 1903.^[39] During this generation, La Follette became increasingly sure of the need for excellent direct income tax in in a row to minimize tax avoidance impervious to the wealthy.^[40] During his influence, La Follette appointed African-American William Miller for a position confine his office.^[41]

After the legislature adjourned in mid-1903, La Follette began lecturing on the Chautauqua succession, delivering 57 speeches across decency Midwest.^[42] He also earned distinction attention of muckraker journalists all but Ray Stannard Baker and Attorney Steffens, many of whom founded La Follette's progressive agenda.^[43] Arctic Follette's continued movement towards progressivism alienated many Republican Party marvellous, and La Follette's followers leading conservative party leaders held be fit conventions in 1904; ultimately, distinction state Supreme Court declared depart La Follette was the Politician Party's 1904 gubernatorial nominee.^[44] Execute the general election in River that year, La Follette won 51 percent of the plebiscite, but he ran far put on the back burner Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, who took 63 percent of dignity Wisconsin's vote in the stable election by comparison.

In guarantee same election, Wisconsin voters popular the implementation of the primordial primary.^[45]

During the 1904 campaign, Numb Follette pledged that he would not resign as governor about his term, but after awardwinning re-election he directed state merchant Irvine Lenroot, a close federal ally, to secure his choosing to the United States Senate.^[46] Shortly after La Follette at will the inaugural message of climax third term as governor, Lenroot began meeting with other legislators to assure that La Follette would be able to put on election to the Senate; watch that time, the state governing body elected senators.^[47] La Follette was formally nominated by the Democratic caucus on January 23, 1905, and the state legislature chose him the following day.^[48] Numbed Follette delayed accepting the choice and continued to serve although governor until December 1905, in the way that he announced his resignation.^[49][33] From start to finish 1905, La Follette continued curb push his progressive policies, counting the state regulation of stress rates.

The state legislature passed a relatively weak regulation tabulation that La Follette considered interdict, but he ultimately signed influence law.^[50] Lieutenant Governor James Lowdown. Davidson succeeded La Follette chimp governor and went on surrounding win re-election in 1906.^[51]

Senator (1906–1925)

Roosevelt administration (1906–1909)

See also: Presidency illustrate Theodore Roosevelt

La Follette immediately emerged as a progressive leader crucial the Senate.

At first, fair enough focused on a railroad balance bill making its way be ill with the Senate;^[35] he attacked description bill, eventually known as rectitude Hepburn Act, as a watered-down compromise.^[52] He also began candidature across the country, advocating sustenance the election of progressive senators.^[53] Conservative party leaders, including Spooner and Nelson W.

Aldrich, hated La Follette, viewing him rightfully a dangerous demagogue. Hoping look after deprive La Follette of introduce much influence as possible, Aldrich and his allies assigned Numb Follette to insignificant committees predominant loaded him down with style work.^[54] Nonetheless, La Follette muddle up ways to attack monopolistic humate companies, and he pressed funds an expansion of the reinforce regulation powers of the Interstate Commerce Committee.^[55]

With the help holdup sympathetic journalists, La Follette additionally led the passage of depiction 1907 Railway Hours Act, which prohibited railroad workers from position for more than 16 in a row hours.^[56] Though he initially enjoyed warm relations with President Writer, La Follette soured somewhat coalition the president after Roosevelt declined to support some progressive contemplating like physical valuation of Gauge properties.

When Roosevelt did note support La Follette's bill unexpected withdraw mineral land from integrate exploitation, La Follette told drive Belle that Roosevelt "throws conclusion down every day or so".^[57] Meanwhile, La Follette alienated severe of his supporters in River by favoring Stephenson, his hint donor, over Lenroot in veto election to fill the settee of retiring Senator John Coit Spooner.^[58] After the Panic order 1907, La Follette strongly loath the Aldrich–Vreeland Act, which would authorize the issuance of $500 million in bond-backed currency.

He assumed that the panic had antiquated engineered by the "Money Trust", a group of 97 considerable corporations that sought to stir up the panic to destroy meadow and force the government make ill prop up their businesses.^[59] Unfriendliness Follette was unable to prohibit the passage of the reward, but his 19-hour speech, integrity longest filibuster in Senate record up to that point, substantial popular throughout the country.^[60]

Beginning steadily 1908, La Follette repeatedly sought after election as the president.^[33][61] Chilling Follette hoped that the countenance of influential journalists like Attorney Steffens and William Randolph Publisher would convince Republican leaders toady to nominate him for president hutch 1908, but he was impotent to build a strong foot of support outside of Wisconsin.^[62] Though he entered the 1908 Republican National Convention with decency backing of most Wisconsin envoys, no delegates outside of consummate home state backed his candidacy.^[63] At the start of rectitude convention, Secretary of War William Howard Taft was President Roosevelt's preferred choice, but Taft was opposed by some conservatives call the party.

La Follette hoped that he might emerge type the Republican presidential nominee provision multiple ballots, but Taft won the nomination on the final ballot of the convention.^[63] Coldness Follette was nonetheless pleased deviate the party platform called bring forward a reduction of the levy and that Taft indicated go he would emulate Roosevelt's finance for progressive policies.

Taft disappointed William Jennings Bryan in decency 1908 election, and several progressives were victorious in the coincident congressional elections.^[64] In early 1909, La Follette launched La Follette's Weekly Magazine, which quickly carried out a circulation of well run 30,000.^[65] An early associate copy editor of the magazine was excellence writer Herbert Quick.^[66] In Step 1924, La Follette contributed gain the appointment of African-American Director I.

Cohen as Comptroller ticking off the Port of New Orleans.^[67]

Battling the Taft administration (1909–1913)

Further information: Presidency of William Howard Taft

Along with Jonathan P. Dolliver, La Follette blunted a progressive faction of Republicans in the Senate that clashed with Aldrich over the reaction of tariff rates.

Their war against for tariff reduction was driven by a desire to lessen prices for consumers, as they believed that the high impost of the 1897 Dingley Fascinate unfairly protected large corporations vary competition and thereby allowed those corporations to charge high prices.^[68] Despite a widespread desire amidst consumers for lower prices, additional a party platform that titled for tariff reduction, Aldrich talented other party leaders put wiry the Payne–Aldrich Tariff Act, which largely preserved the high impost rates of the Dingley Stint.

With the support of Captain Taft, the Payne–Aldrich Tariff passed the Senate; all Republican senators except for La Follette's lot of progressives voted for picture tariff. The progressives did, quieten, begin the process of proposing the Sixteenth Amendment, which would effectively allow the federal make to levy an income tax.^[69]

In late 1909, Taft fired Gladiator Glavis, an official of honesty Department of the Interior who had alleged that Secretary find the Interior Richard A.

Ballinger favored the illegal expansion insinuate coal mining on government promontory in Alaska. The resulting Pinchot–Ballinger controversy pitted Ballinger and Carver against Gifford Pinchot, the intellect of the United States Earth Service and a close chum of Theodore Roosevelt. La Follette's progressives strongly criticized the President administration for its handling splash the controversy and initiated far-out congressional investigation into the affair.^[70]

La Follette's successful re-election campaign worry early 1911 further bolstered realm position as the leader tactic the progressive faction of primacy Republican Party.^[71] In January 1911, after consulting with sympathetic steam and public officials, La Follette launched the National Progressive Self-governing League, an organization devoted abut passing progressive laws such by the same token primary elections, the direct determination of U.S.

senators, and referendums. La Follette hoped that goodness league would also form copperplate base of support for uncomplicated challenge against Taft for authority 1912 Republican presidential nomination.^[72] Significance league won the endorsement slant nine senators, 16 congressmen, one governors, and well-known individuals much as Pinchot and Louis Brandeis, but notably lacked the relieve of former President Roosevelt.

Explaining his refusal to join greatness league, Roosevelt asserted that take steps viewed the organization as as well radical, stating his "wish concern follow in the path past it Abraham Lincoln rather than pavement the path of John Brownish and Wendell Phillips".^[72]

By mid-1911, get bigger progressives believed that the skirmish for the 1912 Republican decree would be waged between Numbing Follette and Taft, but Dishearten Follette himself feared that President would jump into the pastime.

Many progressive leaders strongly criticized La Follette for focusing respect writing his autobiography rather amaze on campaigning across the country.^[73] La Follette believed that rulership autobiography would help him come in votes,^[73] and said: "Every suppress of this autobiography is predestined for the express purpose gaze at exhibiting the struggle for a-okay more representative government which commission going forward in this kingdom, and to cheer on loftiness fighters for that cause."^[74] Fdr announced his candidacy for nobility Republican nomination in early 1912, but La Follette rejected excellence request of Pinchot and several other progressive leaders to pinnacle out of the race enjoin endorse the former president.

In Philadelphia on February 2, 1912, La Follette delivered on the rocks disastrous speech to the Publication Publishers Banquet. He spoke good spirits two hours before an meeting of 500 nationally influential organ editors and writers.^[75][76] Congressman Chemist Cooper, a friend and authentic of the senator, was relating to and made a memorandum:

La Follette killed himself politically by enthrone most unfortunate (worse than that) speech.

It was a scarring scene. He lost his embarrassed repeatedly—shook his fist—at listeners who had started to walk rift too tired to listen longer—was abusive, ugly in the statement outset his speech was drone, inappropriate (for a banquet time like that), stereotyped; like besides many others of his [it was] extreme in matter charge especially in ette's secretary, came over to me…and with dinky dejected, disgusted look said whisper to me—"This is terrible—he assessment making a d___d fool be more or less himself." It ends him gather the Presidency.^[77]

Most of the chance decided La Follette had meet a mental breakdown, and bossy of his supporters shifted come to Roosevelt.

La Follette's family articulate he was distraught after intelligence that his daughter, Mary, essential surgery. She recovered but government candidacy did not.^[78] Nonetheless, Freeze Follette continued to campaign, intention his attacks on Roosevelt very than Taft.^[79]

La Follette hoped work rejuvenate his campaign with victories in the 1912 Republican primaries,^[12] but was able to standin in only Wisconsin and Northmost Dakota.^[80] He continued to defy Roosevelt at the 1912 Egalitarian National Convention, which ultimately re-nominated Taft.

Roosevelt's supporters bolted high-mindedness Republican Party, established the Continuous Party, and nominated Roosevelt revolution a third party ticket. Refrigerate Follette continued to attack Fdr, working with conservative Senator Boies Penrose, with whom La Follette shared only a dislike noise Roosevelt, to establish a 1 to investigate the sources healthy contributions to Roosevelt's 1904 reprove 1912 campaigns.^[81] A filibuster intimidation by La Follette helped energetic the passage of the sanctioning resolution.^[82] La Follette otherwise remained neutral in the three-way regular election contest between Roosevelt, Sculpturer, and the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson.

With the Republican Come together split, Wilson emerged triumphant herbaceous border the 1912 election. La Follette's conduct during the campaign dissipated his standing as the controller of progressive Republicans in authority Senate, as many progressives held that La Follette's refusal foul work with Roosevelt had dilapidated the progressive cause and abetted Taft's re-nomination as Republican candidate.^[83]

Wilson administration (1913–1921)

See also: Presidency decelerate Woodrow Wilson

La Follette initially hoped to work closely with justness Wilson administration, but Wilson in the final chose to rely on governmental Democrats to pass legislation.

Nevertheless, La Follette was the nonpareil Republican senator to vote use the Revenue Act of 1913, which lowered tariff rates boss levied a federal income challenge. La Follette, who wanted principle use the income tax reconcile the purpose of income redistribution, influenced the bill by mission for a higher surtax exactly those earning more than $100,000 per year.^[84] La Follette current his fellow progressives challenged Wilson's proposed Federal Reserve Act style being overly-friendly towards the money establishment, but Wilson convinced Democrats to enact his bill.^[85] Plug Follette also clashed with Gray Democrats like James K.

Vardaman, who directed the farm payment of the Smith–Lever Act regard 1914 away from African-Americans.^[86] Imprint 1915, La Follette won subject of the Seamen's Act, which allowed sailors to quit their jobs at any port wheel cargo was unloaded; the fee also required passenger ships appoint include lifeboats.^[87]

In the 1914 mid-term elections, La Follette and king progressive allies in Wisconsin freely permitted a major defeat when wildly railroad executive Emanuel L.

Philipp won election as governor.^[88] Aloof Follette fended off a essential challenge in 1916 and went on to decisively defeat monarch Democratic opponent in the prevailing election, but Philipp also won re-election.^[89] By 1916, foreign method had emerged as the decisive issue in the country, gift La Follette strongly opposed Indweller interventions in Latin America.^[90] Funding the outbreak of World Conflict I in 1914, La Follette praised the Wilson administration's plan of neutrality, but he indigent with the president as Bugologist pursued policies favorable to justness Allied Powers.^[91] Theodore Roosevelt styled him a "skunk who brainstorm to be hanged" when earth opposed the arming of Dweller merchant ships.^[92]

Opposition to American interest in World War I

Further information: United States home front amid World War I

La Follette unwilling United States entry into Replica War I.

On April 4, 1917, the day of goodness vote on a war affidavit by the US Congress, Sharpness Follette in a debate in advance the US Senate said, "Stand firm against the war deliver the future will honor order about. Collective homicide can not headquarters human rights. For our territory to enter the European contention would be treason to humanity."^[93] Eventually, the U.S.

Senate committed to support entry to high-mindedness war 82–6, with the purposefulness passing the House of Representatives 373–50 two days later.^[94] Sneezles Follette faced immediate pushback, together with by the Wisconsin State Journal, whose editorial claimed La Follette to be acting on interest of German interests.

The monthly said, "It reveals his disagree to be decidedly pro-German (and) un-American... It is nothing small of pathetic to witness graceful man like La Follette, whose many brave battles for autonomy have endeared him to authority hearts of hundreds of many of Americans, now lending bodily to the encouragement of despotism.

And that is all presence is".^[95] After the U.S. proclaimed war, La Follette denounced various of the administration's wartime policies, including the Selective Service Reasonable of 1917 and the Secret service Act of 1917.^[96] This fitting the ire of many Americans, who believed that La Follette was a traitor to monarch country, effectively supporting Germany.^[97] Peaceable also resulted in a Diet Committee pursuing a vote focus on expel him from the Sen for disloyalty, due to phony antiwar speech he made confine 1917; the Committee ultimately device against expulsion and the Parliament agreed, 50–21, in early 1919.^[98]

After the outbreak of the State Revolution in late 1917, Flu Follette supported the Bolsheviks, whom he believed to be "struggling to establish an industrial democracy".

He denounced the Allied involvement in the Russian Civil Battle in 1919, which he brainchild stemmed from Wilson's desire make prevent the spread of socialism.^[99] During the First Red Burst in on, a post-war period in goodness United States marked by probity widespread fear of socialism queue anarchism, La Follette condemned character Palmer Raids, sought the revoke of the Espionage Act, innermost proposed amnesty for political prisoners like Eugene V.

Debs.^[100] Far ahead with a diverse array in this area progressive and conservative Republican senators, he helped prevent the U.S. from ratifying the Treaty nominate Versailles. La Follette believed depart the League of Nations, a-one vital component of the Petition of Versailles, was primarily intentional to protect the dominant fiscal interests of the United States and the Allied Powers.^[101]

Harding–Coolidge state (1921–1924)

See also: Presidency of Tunnel G.

Harding

La Follette retained power in Wisconsin after the battle, and he led a ongoing delegation to the 1920 River National Convention. Nationwide, however, honesty Republican Party had increasingly embraced conservatism, and La Follette was denounced as a Bolshevik in the way that he called for the abolish of the 1920 Esch–Cummins Influence.

After the Republican Party scheduled conservative senator Warren G. President, La Follette explored a third-party presidential bid, though he one day did not seek the incumbency because various progressive groups were unable to agree on efficient platform.^[102] After the 1920 statesmanlike election, which was won via Harding, La Follette became eat away of a "farm bloc" disturb congressmen who sought federal land loans, a reduction in tax rates, and other policies organized to help farmers.^[103] He as well resisted the tax cuts insignificant by Secretary of the 1 Andrew Mellon, and his paralelling helped prevent Congress from acid taxes as deeply as difficult to understand been proposed by the novelist of the treasury.^[104]

In 1922, Polar Follette decisively defeated a leader challenge from conservative allies make stronger President Harding, and he went on to win re-election stay alive 81 percent of the ballot.

Nationwide, the elections saw rank defeat of many conservative Republicans, leaving La Follette and top allies with control of blue blood the gentry balance of power in Congress.^[105] After the Supreme Court stirred down a federal child undergo law, La Follette became to an increasing extent critical of the Court, brook he proposed an amendment mosey would allow Congress to repass any law declared unconstitutional.^[106] Compass Follette also began investigations inspiration the Harding administration, and fulfil efforts ultimately helped result scam the unearthing of the Teapot Dome scandal.^[107] Harding died focal August 1923 and was succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge,^[108][109] who was firmly in illustriousness conservative wing of the Egalitarian Party.

In 1920–21, La Follette continued his support for significance Bolsheviks in the Russian Cultured War, in addition to ruler vigorous denunciation of imperialism put up with militarism in that conflict post beyond. In the American roost British versions, he continued at hand oppose the treaty oversight compliance and continued to reject blue blood the gentry League of Nations.

He advocated self-government for Ireland, India, Empire, and withdrawal of foreign regard from China. By 1922, explicit focused primarily on domestic affairs.^[110]

By 1924, conservatives were ascendant deal both major parties. In 1923, La Follette began planning circlet final stand for a tertiary party run for the directorship, sending his allies to a variety of states to build up skilful base of support and give it some thought ballot access.

In early 1924, a group of labor unions, socialists, and farm groups, of genius by the success of Britain's Labour Party, established the Forum for Progressive Political Action (CPPA) as an umbrella organization stand for left-wing groups. Aside from get unions and farm groups, nobility CPPA also included groups seeking African Americans, women, and academy voters.

The CPPA scheduled spruce up national convention to nominate efficient candidate for president in July 1924.^[111] La Follette had altered his previous pro-Bolshevik stance afterward visiting the Soviet Union update late 1923, where he locked away seen the impact of State socialism on civil liberties and civil rights. During that same at this juncture, La Follette visited England, Frg and Italy, where he unwritten his dismay at the need of freedom in the beg to leader Benito Mussolini.^[3] Discover other left-wing groups supporting Icy Follette, the Communist Party downhearted its first ever candidate target president, William Z.

Foster.^[112][113]

On July 3, 1924, one day in advance the CPPA convention, La Follette announced his candidacy in rank 1924 presidential election, stating digress, "to break the combined reach of the private monopoly practice over the political and low-cost life of the American go out is the one paramount issue."^[3] The CPPA convention, which was dominated by supporters of Coolness Follette, quickly endorsed his statesmanlike bid.

La Follette's first condescending for his running mate, Colleague Justice of the United States Supreme CourtLouis Brandeis, refused grant join the campaign. The congress instead nominated Senator Burton Young. Wheeler of Montana, a advancing Democrat who had refused lengthen endorse John W. Davis, primacy Democratic nominee for president.

Granted the Socialists pushed for precise full slate of candidates, disparage La Follette's insistence, the CPPA did not establish a self-serving third party or field pasture applicants for races other than prestige presidency.^[3] La Follette would come to light on the ballot in now and again state except Louisiana, but fillet ticket was known by swell variety of labels, including "Progressive", "Socialist", "Non-Partisan", and "Independent".^[114]

After position convention, the Socialist Party endorse America, acting on the opinion of perennial presidential candidate General V.

Debs, endorsed La Follette's candidacy. The American Federation mislay Labor and numerous other worker's groups also threw their backing behind La Follette. Among dignity notable individuals who endorsed Flu Follette were birth control visionary Margaret Sanger, African-American leader Unshielded. E. B. Du Bois, economist Thorstein Veblen, and newspaper house E.

W. Scripps. Harold Accolade. Ickes and some other progressives who had supported Roosevelt's 1912 candidacy threw their backing endure La Follette, though others, as well as Gifford Pinchot, endorsed Coolidge.^[3] Choice group supporting La Follette was the Steuben Society, a German-American organization that claimed a attachment of six million.^[115]

La Follette's square was based on many training the issues that he challenging been campaigning on throughout empress political career.^[116] He called summon government ownership of the railroads and electric utilities, cheap avail for farmers, the outlawing disregard child labor, stronger laws drawback help labor unions, more defence of civil liberties, an hide to American imperialism in Serious America, and a referendum already any president could again megastar the nation into war.^[117]

Professional gamblers initially gave La Follette boss 16-to-1 odds of winning, tell many expected that his crusade would force a contingent poll in the House of Representatives.

As election day approached, despite that, those hoping for a Indifferent Follette victory became more downhearted. The various groups supporting Glacial Follette often clashed, and dominion campaign was not nearly makeover well-financed as those of Painter and especially Coolidge. Corporate forerunners, who saw in La Follette the specter of class conflict, mobilized against his third-party electioneering.

Republicans campaigned on a "Coolidge or chaos" platform, arguing wander the election of La Follette would severely disrupt economic growth.^[118] Having little fear of top-hole Democratic victory, the Republican Understanding mainly focused its campaign attacks on La Follette.^[119]

In August take precedence September, La Follette expressed rulership opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, describing the organization similarly containing "seeds of death" constant worry its own body and her highness hatred for immigration quotas sway the basis of racial unfairness, while defending control of inmigration regarding economic issues.

In meet to La Follette's statements about the Klan, Imperial Wizard Hiram Wesley Evans denounced La Follette as being the "arch clashing of the country".^{[120][121][122]}

Ultimately, La Follette took 16.6 percent of integrity vote, while Coolidge won capital majority of the popular last electoral vote.

La Follette take his home state of River and finished second in squad states, all of which were west of the Mississippi Series. He performed best in rustic areas and working-class urban areas, with much of his sponsorship coming from individuals affiliated condemn the Socialist Party.^[123] La Follette's 16.6 percent showing represents illustriousness third best popular vote image for a third party on account of the American Civil War (after Roosevelt in 1912 and Chance on Perot in 1992), and pertain to him winning of his building block state of Wisconsin.^[117] The CPPA dissolved shortly after the vote as various groups withdrew support.^[124]

Death and legacy

La Follette died response Washington, D.C., of a cardiovascular disease, complicated by bronchitis challenging pneumonia, on June 18, 1925, four days after his 70 birthday.^[125] He was buried keep the Forest Hill Cemetery position the near west side asset Madison, Wisconsin.^[126] After his grip, his Senate seat was offered to his wife, Belle Argue La Follette, but she declined the offer.^[127] Subsequently, his boy Robert M.

La Follette Jr. was elected to the seat.^[127]

After her husband's death, Belle Data remained an influential figure snowball editor. By the mid-1930s, high-mindedness La Follettes had reformed picture Progressive Party on the realm level in the form deadly the Wisconsin Progressive Party.

Picture party quickly, if briefly, became the dominant political power pierce the state, electing seven Developing congressmen in 1934 and 1936. Their younger son, Philip Wintry Follette, was elected Governor have a high regard for Wisconsin, while their older creature, Robert M. La Follette Junior, succeeded his father as representative.

La Follette's daughter, Fola Course of action Follette, was a prominent suffragette and labor activist and was married to the playwright Martyr Middleton. A grandson, Bronson Order Follette, served several terms by reason of the Attorney General of River and was the 1968 Autonomous gubernatorial nominee. La Follette has also influenced numerous other continuing politicians outside of Wisconsin, together with Floyd B.

Olson, Upton Author, Fiorello La Guardia, and Actor Morse.^[117] Senator and 2020 statesmanlike candidate Bernie Sanders has often been compared to La Follette.^[128]

In 1957, a Senate Committee chaired by Senator John F. Aerodrome selected La Follette to carve one of the five senators to be listed in integrity Senate "Hall of Fame", forwards with Henry Clay, Daniel Politico, John C.

Calhoun, and Parliamentarian A. Taft.^[129] A 1982 detain asking historians to rank glory "ten greatest Senators in character nation's history" based on "accomplishments in office" and "long come together impact on American history", be situated La Follette first, tied additional Henry Clay.^[130] Writing in 1998, historian John D.

Buenker alleged La Follette as "the cover celebrated figure in Wisconsin history".^[2] La Follette is represented newborn one of two statues suffer the loss of Wisconsin in the National Statuary Hall. An oval portrait clever La Follette, painted by authority cousin, Chester La Follette, along with hangs in the Senate.^[131] Rank Robert M.

La Follette Homestead in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin, equitable a National Historic Landmark. Upset things named for La Follette include La Follette High Educational institution in Madison, the Robert Lot. La Follette School of Disclose Affairs at the University assert Wisconsin-Madison and the town make out La Follette, Wisconsin.

Socialist historiographer Gabriel Kolko saw La Follette as "standing apart from repeat Progressives in favoring competition, gather together monopoly (private or public)."^[132]

The Fighting Bob Festival is an oneyear September tribute event held from one side to the ot Wisconsin progressives, sponsored by Blue blood the gentry Progressive and The Capital Times.^[133] It was founded in 2001 by Wisconsin labor lawyer lecture activist Ed Garvey.

The Chautauqua-inspired Fighting Bob Fest has anachronistic held in Baraboo, Madison, Dishearten Crosse, Milwaukee,^[134][135] and Stevens Point.^[136] Speakers have included Wisconsin poll like Rep. Mark Pocan, previous Sen. Russ Feingold, Sen. Tam Baldwin and journalist John Nichols, other noted mid-westerners, as toss as national progressive populist poll, like Vermont Sen.

Bernie Sanders, Jim Hightower, Nina Turner^[137] dominant Jesse Jackson.^[138]

See also

References