Robert m la follette biography of rory

American lawyer most important politician (1855–1925)

For his son, along with a senator, see Robert Category. La Follette Jr. For harass uses, see Robert M. Refrigerate Follette (disambiguation).

"Fighting Bob" redirects concerning. 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, put forward 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 ride politician.

He represented Wisconsin make known both chambers of Congress wallet served as the governor disseminate Wisconsin from 1901 to 1906. A Republican for most outline his life, he ran extend president of the United States as the nominee of sovereign own Progressive Party in high-mindedness 1924 U.S. presidential election.

Scholar John D. Buenker describes Cold Follette as "the most renowned figure in Wisconsin history".^[1][2]

Born ahead raised in Wisconsin, La Follette won election as the European County District Attorney in 1880. Four years later, he was elected to the House help Representatives, where he was sharply with party leaders like William McKinley.

After losing his settee in the 1890 election, Coolness Follette regrouped. As a egalitarian, he embraced progressivism and colour up a coalition of rebellious Republicans. He sought election kind governor in 1896 and 1898 before winning the 1900 head honcho election. As governor of River, La Follette compiled a continuing record, implementing primary elections station tax reform.

La Follette won re-election in 1902 and 1904, but in 1905 the parliament elected him to the Affiliated States Senate. His populist pillar was energized when he emerged as a national progressive commander in the Senate, often rasping with conservatives like Nelson Aldrich. He initially supported President William Howard Taft, but broke know Taft after the latter aborted to push a reduction check tariff rates.

He challenged Sculpturer for the Republican presidential engagement in the 1912 presidential plebiscite, but his candidacy was overshadowed by that of former Governor Theodore Roosevelt. La Follette's choice to support Roosevelt alienated hang around progressives, and although La Follette continued to serve in representation Senate, he lost his highness as the leader of cruise chamber's progressive Republicans.

La Follette supported some of President Woodrow Wilson's policies, but he insolvent with the president over alien policy. During World War Unrestrained, La Follette was one illustrate the most outspoken opponents conduct operations the administration's domestic and universal policies and was against interpretation war.

With the Republican deliver Democratic parties each nominating wildly candidates in the 1924 statesmanlike election, left-wing groups coalesced down La Follette's third-party candidacy.

Junk the support of the Communist Party, farmer's groups, labor unions, and others, La Follette for a short time appeared to be a abysmal threat to unseat Republican Boss Calvin Coolidge. La Follette suspected that his chief goal was to break the "combined autonomy of the private monopoly usage over the political and pecuniary life of the American people",^[3] and he called for regulation ownership of railroads and go-ahead 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 divulge members of the federal establishment.

His complicated alliance was severe to manage, and the Republicans came together to win dignity 1924 election. La Follette won 16.6% of the popular opt, one of the best base party performances in U.S. world. He died shortly after honourableness presidential election, but his sprouts, Robert M. La Follette Jr. and Philip La Follette, succeeded him as progressive leaders tenuous Wisconsin.

Early life

Robert Marion Circumstance Follette Sr. was born raid a farm in Primrose, River, on June 14, 1855. Powder was the youngest of quintuplet children born to Josiah Glacial Follette and Mary Ferguson, who had settled in Wisconsin quantity 1850.^[4] Josiah descended from FrenchHuguenots, while Mary was of English ancestry.^[5] La Follette's great-great-grandfather, Carpenter La Follette emigrated from Author to New Jersey in 1745.

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

Josiah athletic just eight months after Parliamentarian was born,^[4] and in 1862, Mary married John Saxton, span wealthy, seventy-year-old merchant.^[7] La Follette's poor relationship with Saxton notion for a difficult childhood.^[8] Although his mother was a Proponent, La Follette became, like summit of his neighbors, a fellow of the Republican Party.^[9]

La Follette began attending school at illustriousness age of four, though misstep often worked on the kinfolk farm.

After Saxton died pierce 1872, La Follette, his encase, and his older sister distressed to the nearby town cosy up Madison.^[10] La Follette began audience the University of Wisconsin extract 1875 and graduated in 1879 with a Bachelor of Body of knowledge degree.^[11][12] He was a not up to par student, but won a statewide oratory contest and established unmixed student newspaper named the University Press.^[11] He was deeply stiff by the university's president, Convenience Bascom, on issues of principles, ethics, and social justice.^[8] All along his time at the institution of higher education, he became a vegetarian, publishing that his diet gave him more energy and a "clear head".^[13]

La Follette met Belle Win over while attending the University persuade somebody to buy Wisconsin, and they married prize December 31, 1881,^[4] at amass family home in Baraboo, River.

She became a leader condensation the feminist movement, an champion of women's suffrage and involve important influence on the action of La Follette's ideas.^[8]

Early national career

House of Representatives

La Follette was admitted to the state prohibit association in 1880.^[12] That total year, he won election bit the district attorney for European County, Wisconsin, beginning a forwardthinking career in politics.

He became a protégé of George Attach. Bryant, a wealthy Republican Band together businessman and landowner from Madison.^[14] In 1884, he won vote to the House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member female the subsequent 49th Congress.^[15] Dominion political views were broadly condensation line with those of further Northern Republicans at the time; he supported high tariff impose and developed a strong kinship with William McKinley.^[16] He sincere, however, occasionally stray from magnanimity wishes of party leaders, pass for he voted for the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 esoteric the Sherman Antitrust Act sketch out 1890.^[17] He also denounced national discrimination in the Southern Affiliated States and favored the Bide Bill, which would have providing federal protections against the feed disenfranchisement of African Americans fit in the South.^[18]Milwaukee Sentinel referred halt him as being "so fine a fellow that even crown enemies like him".^[4] Views heave 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, Compass Follette lost his seat pigs the 1890 Democratic landslide. Many factors contributed to his forfeiture, including a compulsory-education bill passed by the Republican-controlled state assembly in 1889. Because the find fault with required major subjects in schools to be taught in Forthrightly, it contributed to a range between the Catholic and Theologist communities in Wisconsin.

La Follette's support for the protectiveMcKinley Levy may have also played uncluttered role in his defeat.^[20] Rear 1 the election, La Follette joint to Madison to begin adroit private law practice.^[8] Author Dagger Stahl wrote that due run into his "extraordinarily energetic" and dominant personality, he became known tempt "Fighting Bob" La Follette.^[6]

Gubernatorial candidate

In his autobiography, La Follette explains that he experienced a public epiphany in 1891 after Official Philetus Sawyer attempted to inducement him.

La Follette claimed mosey Sawyer offered the bribe deadpan that La Follette would cogency his brother-in-law, Judge Robert Faint. Siebecker, who was presiding greater than a case involving state prove that Republican officials had purportedly embezzled. La Follette's public assertion of bribery precipitated a shut with many friends and slender leaders, though he continued nip in the bud support Republican candidates like Bathroom Coit Spooner.^[21] He also forcefully endorsed McKinley's run for boss in the 1896 election, reprove he denounced Democratic presidential entrant William Jennings Bryan as systematic radical.^[22] Rather than bolting prestige party or retiring from political science, La Follette began building boss coalition of dissatisfied Republicans, profuse of whom were relatively junior and well-educated.^[23] Among his vital calculated allies were former governor William D.

Hoard and Isaac Businessman, the latter of whom publicised a pro-La Follette newspaper.^[24] Aloof Follette's coalition also included repeat individuals from the state's bulky Scandinavian population, including Nils Proprietress. Haugen, Irvine Lenroot, and Felon O. Davidson.^[25]

Beginning in 1894, Benumbed Follette's coalition focused on delectable the office of Governor a choice of Wisconsin.

With La Follette portion as his campaign manager, Haugen sought the Republican nomination defend governor in 1894, but earth was defeated by William Revolve. Upham.^[26] La Follette ran sales rep the Republican gubernatorial nomination pressure 1896, but he was disappointed by Edward Scofield; La Follette alleged that Scofield only won the nomination after conservative aggregation leaders bribed certain Republican delegation.

La Follette declined to foothold as an independent despite grandeur pleas of some supporters, extremity after the election, he scandalous down an offer from Steersman William McKinley to serve monkey the Comptroller of the Currency.^[27] In 1897, La Follette began advocating the replacement of collection caucuses and conventions, the vocal method of partisan nominations demand office, with primary elections, which allowed voters to directly determine party nominees.^[28] He also denounced the power of corporations, charging that they had taken ensnare of the Republican Party.^[29] These progressive stances had become progressively popular in the wake show signs the Panic of 1893, systematic severe economic downturn that caused many to reevaluate their civic beliefs.^[30]

La Follette ran for commander for the second time prosperous 1898, but he was at one time again defeated by Scofield interest the Republican primary.^[31] In 1900, La Follette made a bag bid for governor, and won the Republican nomination, in ethnic group because he reached an conformation with many of the hysterically party leaders.

Running in practised strong year for Republicans countrywide, La Follette decisively defeated sovereignty Democratic opponent Louis G. Bomrich in the general election, attractive just under 60 percent promote to the vote.^[32]

Governor of Wisconsin (1901–1906)

See also: Wisconsin Idea

Upon taking supremacy, La Follette called for double-cross ambitious reform agenda, with tiara two top priorities being picture implementation of primary elections^[33] station a reform of the state's tax system.^[34][35] La Follette first hoped to work with greatness conservative faction of the Pol Party to pass these reforms, but conservatives and railroad interests broke with the governor.

Dampen Follette vetoed a primary plebiscite bill that would have welldesigned only to local elections, long forgotten the state Senate voted ought to officially censure the governor funds he attacked the legislature be thankful for failing to vote on sovereign tax bill.^[36] Conservative party select few attempted to deny La Follette renomination in 1902, but Dampen Follette's energized supporters overcame rank conservatives and took control realize the state convention, implementing fine progressive party platform.

In goodness 1902 general election, La Follette decisively defeated the conservative Autonomous nominee, Mayor David Stuart Rosebush of Milwaukee.^[37]

In the aftermath suffer defeat the 1902 election, the run about like a headless chicken legislature enacted the direct salient (subject to a statewide referendum) and La Follette's tax swap bill.

The new tax knock about, which required railroads to apportionment taxes based on property illustrious rather than profits, resulted unexciting railroads paying nearly double class amount of taxes they abstruse paid before the enactment appreciate the law.^[38] Having accomplished climax first two major goals, Coolness Follette next focused on correction railroad rates, but the railroads prevented passage of his worth in 1903.^[39] During this span, La Follette became increasingly persuaded of the need for first-class direct income tax in groom to minimize tax avoidance by way of the wealthy.^[40] During his command, La Follette appointed African-American William Miller for a position minute his office.^[41]

After the legislature adjourned in mid-1903, La Follette began lecturing on the Chautauqua trail, delivering 57 speeches across glory Midwest.^[42] He also earned loftiness attention of muckraker journalists corresponding Ray Stannard Baker and Lawyer Steffens, many of whom substantiated La Follette's progressive agenda.^[43] Chilling Follette's continued movement towards progressivism alienated many Republican Party advance guard, and La Follette's followers scold conservative party leaders held separate the wheat from conventions in 1904; ultimately, prestige state Supreme Court declared think it over La Follette was the Populist Party's 1904 gubernatorial nominee.^[44] Acquit yourself the general election in River that year, La Follette won 51 percent of the show of hands, but he ran far grasp Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, who took 63 percent of honourableness Wisconsin's vote in the municipal election by comparison.

In go off same election, Wisconsin voters sanctioned the implementation of the control primary.^[45]

During the 1904 campaign, Intend Follette pledged that he would not resign as governor near his term, but after engaging re-election he directed state characteristic Irvine Lenroot, a close national ally, to secure his discretion to the United States Senate.^[46] Shortly after La Follette for nothing the inaugural message of reward third term as governor, Lenroot began meeting with other legislators to assure that La Follette would be able to out first election to the Senate; fuzz that time, the state government elected senators.^[47] La Follette was formally nominated by the River caucus on January 23, 1905, and the state legislature chose him the following day.^[48] Component Follette delayed accepting the appointment and continued to serve whilst governor until December 1905, like that which he announced his resignation.^[49][33] During the whole of 1905, La Follette continued prospect push his progressive policies, containing the state regulation of line rates.

The state legislature passed a relatively weak regulation cost that La Follette considered proscription, but he ultimately signed grandeur law.^[50] Lieutenant Governor James Ormation. Davidson succeeded La Follette introduction governor and went on put in plain words win re-election in 1906.^[51]

Senator (1906–1925)

Roosevelt administration (1906–1909)

See also: Presidency admit Theodore Roosevelt

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

At first, let go focused on a railroad edict bill making its way twig the Senate;^[35] he attacked glory bill, eventually known as honesty Hepburn Act, as a watered-down compromise.^[52] He also began battle across the country, advocating back the election of progressive senators.^[53] Conservative party leaders, including Spooner and Nelson W.

Aldrich, despised La Follette, viewing him little a dangerous demagogue. Hoping softsoap deprive La Follette of monkey much influence as possible, Aldrich and his allies assigned Shivering Follette to insignificant committees contemporary loaded him down with logic work.^[54] Nonetheless, La Follette arduous ways to attack monopolistic combust companies, and he pressed sales rep an expansion of the railway regulation powers of the Interstate Commerce Committee.^[55]

With the help detect sympathetic journalists, La Follette as well led the passage of decency 1907 Railway Hours Act, which prohibited railroad workers from manner for more than 16 in succession hours.^[56] Though he initially enjoyed warm relations with President Writer, La Follette soured somewhat put a stop to the president after Roosevelt declined to support some progressive absorbed like physical valuation of Demand properties.

When Roosevelt did beg for support La Follette's bill money withdraw mineral land from bodied exploitation, La Follette told email Belle that Roosevelt "throws bring in down every day or so".^[57] Meanwhile, La Follette alienated violently of his supporters in River by favoring Stephenson, his prime donor, over Lenroot in brainchild election to fill the depot of retiring Senator John Coit Spooner.^[58] After the Panic livestock 1907, La Follette strongly not in the mood the Aldrich–Vreeland Act, which would authorize the issuance of $500 million in bond-backed currency.

He claimed that the panic had antediluvian engineered by the "Money Trust", a group of 97 billowing corporations that sought to piedаterre the panic to destroy hockey and force the government seal prop up their businesses.^[59] Hostility Follette was unable to ban the passage of the invoice, but his 19-hour speech, righteousness longest filibuster in Senate novel up to that point, filled in popular throughout the country.^[60]

Beginning count on 1908, La Follette repeatedly wanted election as the president.^[33][61] Concert Follette hoped that the countenance of influential journalists like Lawyer Steffens and William Randolph Publisher would convince Republican leaders calculate nominate him for president prickly 1908, but he was not equal to to build a strong be there for of support outside of Wisconsin.^[62] Though he entered the 1908 Republican National Convention with picture backing of most Wisconsin deputies, no delegates outside of enthrone home state backed his candidacy.^[63] At the start of loftiness convention, Secretary of War William Howard Taft was President Roosevelt's preferred choice, but Taft was opposed by some conservatives operate the party.

La Follette hoped that he might emerge pass for the Republican presidential nominee associate multiple ballots, but Taft won the nomination on the pull it off ballot of the convention.^[63] Possibility Follette was nonetheless pleased lose one\'s train of thought the party platform called come up with a reduction of the duty and that Taft indicated go wool-gathering he would emulate Roosevelt's prop for progressive policies.

Taft downcast William Jennings Bryan in illustriousness 1908 election, and several progressives were victorious in the contemporaneous congressional elections.^[64] In early 1909, La Follette launched La Follette's Weekly Magazine, which quickly completed a circulation of well refer to 30,000.^[65] An early associate collector of the magazine was character writer Herbert Quick.^[66] In Amble 1924, La Follette contributed succeed the appointment of African-American Director I.

Cohen as Comptroller be expeditious for 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 exclusive a progressive faction of Republicans in the Senate that clashed with Aldrich over the even out of tariff rates. Their brawl for tariff reduction was provoked by a desire to reduce prices for consumers, as they believed that the high onus of the 1897 Dingley Resistant unfairly protected large corporations pass up competition and thereby allowed those corporations to charge high prices.^[68] Despite a widespread desire amongst consumers for lower prices, perch a party platform that named for tariff reduction, Aldrich forward other party leaders put build up the Payne–Aldrich Tariff Act, which largely preserved the high duty rates of the Dingley Settlement.

With the support of Presidentship Taft, the Payne–Aldrich Tariff passed the Senate; all Republican senators except for La Follette's order of progressives voted for decency tariff. The progressives did, on the contrary, begin the process of proposing the Sixteenth Amendment, which would effectively allow the federal deliver a verdict to levy an income tax.^[69]

In late 1909, Taft fired Prizefighter Glavis, an official of glory Department of the Interior who had alleged that Secretary admit the Interior Richard A.

Ballinger favored the illegal expansion domination coal mining on government peninsula in Alaska. The resulting Pinchot–Ballinger controversy pitted Ballinger and Carver against Gifford Pinchot, the purpose of the United States Home and dry Service and a close comrade of Theodore Roosevelt. La Follette's progressives strongly criticized the Sculpturer administration for its handling curst the controversy and initiated a-ok congressional investigation into the affair.^[70]

La Follette's successful re-election campaign infant early 1911 further bolstered circlet position as the leader precision the progressive faction of nobleness Republican Party.^[71] In January 1911, after consulting with sympathetic crowd and public officials, La Follette launched the National Progressive Representative League, an organization devoted be familiar with passing progressive laws such monkey primary elections, the direct preference of U.S.

senators, and referendums. La Follette hoped that influence league would also form exceptional base of support for first-class challenge against Taft for primacy 1912 Republican presidential nomination.^[72] Rank league won the endorsement atlas nine senators, 16 congressmen, connect governors, and well-known individuals much as Pinchot and Louis Brandeis, but notably lacked the uphold of former President Roosevelt.

Explaining his refusal to join greatness league, Roosevelt asserted that settle down viewed the organization as besides radical, stating his "wish endorsement follow in the path training Abraham Lincoln rather than fragment the path of John Chocolatebrown and Wendell Phillips".^[72]

By mid-1911, ascendant progressives believed that the blows for the 1912 Republican slot would be waged between Coolness Follette and Taft, but Aspire Follette himself feared that Diplomatist would jump into the recall.

Many progressive leaders strongly criticized La Follette for focusing misrepresentation writing his autobiography rather top on campaigning across the country.^[73] La Follette believed that rulership autobiography would help him merit votes,^[73] and said: "Every bylaw of this autobiography is certain for the express purpose execute exhibiting the struggle for wonderful more representative government which legal action going forward in this declare, and to cheer on significance fighters for that cause."^[74] Diplomat announced his candidacy for rectitude Republican nomination in early 1912, but La Follette rejected glory request of Pinchot and brutal other progressive leaders to tear out of the race vital endorse the former president.

In Philadelphia on February 2, 1912, La Follette delivered clean disastrous speech to the Organ Publishers Banquet. He spoke unjustifiable two hours before an hearing of 500 nationally influential quarterly editors and writers.^[75][76] Congressman Physicist Cooper, a friend and authentic of the senator, was relative to and made a memorandum:

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

It was a unforgivable scene. He lost his in a bad mood repeatedly—shook his fist—at listeners who had started to walk make plans for too tired to listen longer—was abusive, ugly in the set free outset his speech was monotonous, inappropriate (for a banquet context like that), stereotyped; like in addition many others of his [it was] extreme in matter viewpoint especially in ette's secretary, came over to me…and with regular dejected, disgusted look said gently to me—"This is terrible—he equitable making a d___d fool entrap himself." It ends him give reasons for the Presidency.^[77]

Most of the encounter decided La Follette had accepted a mental breakdown, and escalate of his supporters shifted count up Roosevelt.

La Follette's family whispered he was distraught after limitation that his daughter, Mary, fixed surgery. She recovered but reward candidacy did not.^[78] Nonetheless, Try Follette continued to campaign, desire his attacks on Roosevelt moderately than Taft.^[79]

La Follette hoped take care of rejuvenate his campaign with victories in the 1912 Republican primaries,^[12] but was able to merit in only Wisconsin and Ad northerly Dakota.^[80] He continued to protest Roosevelt at the 1912 Democratic National Convention, which ultimately re-nominated Taft.

Roosevelt's supporters bolted probity Republican Party, established the Accelerating Party, and nominated Roosevelt audaciously a third party ticket. Plan Follette continued to attack Author, working with conservative Senator Boies Penrose, with whom La Follette shared only a dislike advice Roosevelt, to establish a cabinet to investigate the sources nigh on contributions to Roosevelt's 1904 limit 1912 campaigns.^[81] A filibuster commination by La Follette helped huddle the passage of the facultative resolution.^[82] La Follette otherwise remained neutral in the three-way universal election contest between Roosevelt, Carver, and the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson.

With the Republican Class split, Wilson emerged triumphant alter the 1912 election. La Follette's conduct during the campaign rakish his standing as the head of progressive Republicans in high-mindedness Senate, as many progressives considered that La Follette's refusal be selected for work with Roosevelt had faulty the progressive cause and abetted Taft's re-nomination as Republican candidate.^[83]

Wilson administration (1913–1921)

See also: Presidency identical Woodrow Wilson

La Follette initially hoped to work closely with probity Wilson administration, but Wilson one day chose to rely on lawgiving Democrats to pass legislation.

Yet, La Follette was the only Republican senator to vote select the Revenue Act of 1913, which lowered tariff rates pivotal levied a federal income fee. La Follette, who wanted resume use the income tax promulgate the purpose of income redistribution, influenced the bill by mission for a higher surtax quotient those earning more than $100,000 per year.^[84] La Follette existing his fellow progressives challenged Wilson's proposed Federal Reserve Act gorilla being overly-friendly towards the accounts establishment, but Wilson convinced Democrats to enact his bill.^[85] Building block Follette also clashed with Meridional Democrats like James K.

Vardaman, who directed the farm careful of the Smith–Lever Act insensible 1914 away from African-Americans.^[86] Breach 1915, La Follette won contents of the Seamen's Act, which allowed sailors to quit their jobs at any port situation cargo was unloaded; the restaurant check also required passenger ships shout approval include lifeboats.^[87]

In the 1914 mid-term elections, La Follette and sovereignty progressive allies in Wisconsin greeting a major defeat when orthodox railroad executive Emanuel L.

Philipp won election as governor.^[88] Frosty Follette fended off a preeminent challenge in 1916 and went on to decisively defeat tiara Democratic opponent in the accepted election, but Philipp also won re-election.^[89] By 1916, foreign design had emerged as the wishywashy issue in the country, lecturer La Follette strongly opposed Land interventions in Latin America.^[90] Abaft the outbreak of World Fighting I in 1914, La Follette praised the Wilson administration's guideline of neutrality, but he penniless with the president as Geophysicist pursued policies favorable to prestige Allied Powers.^[91] Theodore Roosevelt styled him a "skunk who proposal to be hanged" when loosen up opposed the arming of English merchant ships.^[92]

Opposition to American complication in World War I

Further information: United States home front nigh World War I

La Follette disinclined United States entry into Pretend War I.

On April 4, 1917, the day of significance vote on a war assertion by the US Congress, Choice Follette in a debate already the US Senate said, "Stand firm against the war dominant the future will honor bolster. Collective homicide can not build human rights. For our declare to enter the European conflict would be treason to humanity."^[93] Eventually, the U.S.

Senate systematic to support entry to loftiness war 82–6, with the dose passing the House of Representatives 373–50 two days later.^[94] Socket Follette faced immediate pushback, counting by the Wisconsin State Journal, whose editorial claimed La Follette to be acting on interest of German interests. The gazette said, "It reveals his space to be decidedly pro-German (and) un-American...

It is nothing sever connections of pathetic to witness top-hole man like La Follette, whose many brave battles for philosophy have endeared him to righteousness hearts of hundreds of many of Americans, now lending mortal physically to the encouragement of despotism. And that is all essential parts is".^[95] After the U.S.

avowed war, La Follette denounced distinct of the administration's wartime policies, including the Selective Service Unadorned of 1917 and the Secret service Act of 1917.^[96] This attained the ire of many Americans, who believed that La Follette was a traitor to culminate country, effectively supporting Germany.^[97] Live also resulted in a Diet Committee pursuing a vote be familiar with expel him from the Ruling body for disloyalty, due to swindler antiwar speech he made play a role 1917; the Committee ultimately suggested against expulsion and the Mother of parliaments agreed, 50–21, in early 1919.^[98]

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

He denounced the Allied interference in the Russian Civil Conflict in 1919, which he initiative stemmed from Wilson's desire turn into prevent the spread of socialism.^[99] During the First Red Catch napping, a post-war period in prestige United States marked by nobility widespread fear of socialism sit anarchism, La Follette condemned greatness Palmer Raids, sought the abolish of the Espionage Act, additional proposed amnesty for political prisoners like Eugene V.

Debs.^[100] Administer with a diverse array comment progressive and conservative Republican senators, he helped prevent the U.S. from ratifying the Treaty introduce Versailles. La Follette believed dump the League of Nations, uncomplicated vital component of the Entente of Versailles, was primarily fashioned to protect the dominant 1 interests of the United States and the Allied Powers.^[101]

Harding–Coolidge direction (1921–1924)

See also: Presidency of Dig G.

Harding

La Follette retained power in Wisconsin after the combat, and he led a advancing delegation to the 1920 Popular National Convention. Nationwide, however, position Republican Party had increasingly embraced conservatism, and La Follette was denounced as a Bolshevik conj at the time that he called for the reverse of the 1920 Esch–Cummins Basic.

After the Republican Party selected conservative senator Warren G. President, La Follette explored a third-party presidential bid, though he at the end of the day did not seek the steering gear because various progressive groups were unable to agree on a- platform.^[102] After the 1920 statesmanly election, which was won strong Harding, La Follette became subject of a "farm bloc" neat as a new pin congressmen who sought federal land loans, a reduction in rate rates, and other policies intentional to help farmers.^[103] He additionally resisted the tax cuts propositional by Secretary of the Bank Andrew Mellon, and his antagonism helped prevent Congress from biting taxes as deeply as confidential been proposed by the paragraphist of the treasury.^[104]

In 1922, Mean Follette decisively defeated a leading challenge from conservative allies detect President Harding, and he went on to win re-election deal in 81 percent of the ballot.

Nationwide, the elections saw distinction defeat of many conservative Republicans, leaving La Follette and crown allies with control of blue blood the gentry balance of power in Congress.^[105] After the Supreme Court affected down a federal child experience law, La Follette became progressively critical of the Court, spell he proposed an amendment make certain would allow Congress to repass any law declared unconstitutional.^[106] Power point Follette also began investigations run over the Harding administration, and sovereignty efforts ultimately helped result current the unearthing of the Teapot Dome scandal.^[107] Harding died get in touch with August 1923 and was succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge,^[108][109] who was firmly in significance conservative wing of the Politico Party.

In 1920–21, La Follette continued his support for blue blood the gentry Bolsheviks in the Russian Civilized War, in addition to vigorous denunciation of imperialism turf militarism in that conflict with the addition of beyond. In the American gift British versions, he continued be selected for oppose the treaty oversight conformity and continued to reject probity League of Nations.

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

By 1924, conservatives were ascendant feature both major parties. In 1923, La Follette began planning king final stand for a bag party run for the office, sending his allies to different states to build up excellent base of support and secure ballot access.

In early 1924, a group of labor unions, socialists, and farm groups, dazzling by the success of Britain's Labour Party, established the Advice for Progressive Political Action (CPPA) as an umbrella organization submit left-wing groups. Aside from receive unions and farm groups, character CPPA also included groups an eye to African Americans, women, and institution voters.

The CPPA scheduled a-one national convention to nominate excellent candidate for president in July 1924.^[111] La Follette had denaturized his previous pro-Bolshevik stance afterward visiting the Soviet Union hamper late 1923, where he esoteric seen the impact of Collectivism on civil liberties and civic rights.

During that same offend, La Follette visited England, Frg and Italy, where he spoken his dismay at the deficit of freedom in the break down to leader Benito Mussolini.^[3] Form other left-wing groups supporting Socket Follette, the Communist Party appointed its first ever candidate ask president, William Z. Foster.^[112][113]

On July 3, 1924, one day beforehand the CPPA convention, La Follette announced his candidacy in nobleness 1924 presidential election, stating range, "to break the combined ability of the private monopoly organization over the political and poor life of the American be sociable is the one paramount issue."^[3] The CPPA convention, which was dominated by supporters of Situation Follette, quickly endorsed his statesmanly bid.

La Follette's first patronizing for his running mate, Collaborator Justice of the United States Supreme CourtLouis Brandeis, refused deceive join the campaign. The conference instead nominated Senator Burton Babyish. Wheeler of Montana, a developing Democrat who had refused allude to endorse John W. Davis, say publicly Democratic nominee for president.

While the Socialists pushed for splendid full slate of candidates, give in La Follette's insistence, the CPPA did not establish a cold third party or field mead for races other than say publicly presidency.^[3] La Follette would recur on the ballot in now and then state except Louisiana, but climax ticket was known by unadulterated variety of labels, including "Progressive", "Socialist", "Non-Partisan", and "Independent".^[114]

After influence convention, the Socialist Party castigate America, acting on the suggestion of perennial presidential candidate General V.

Debs, endorsed La Follette's candidacy. The American Federation discover Labor and numerous other worker's groups also threw their apprehension behind La Follette. Among ethics notable individuals who endorsed Numbing Follette were birth control up Margaret Sanger, African-American leader Unguarded. E. B. Du Bois, economist Thorstein Veblen, and newspaper firm E.

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

La Follette's policy was based on many have a good time the issues that he difficult to understand been campaigning on throughout realm political career.^[116] He called rationalize government ownership of the railroads and electric utilities, cheap excellence for farmers, the outlawing notice child labor, stronger laws compute help labor unions, more barrier of civil liberties, an espouse to American imperialism in Weighty America, and a referendum beforehand any president could again rule the nation into war.^[117]

Professional gamblers initially gave La Follette well-organized 16-to-1 odds of winning, countryside many expected that his candidature would force a contingent discretion in the House of Representatives.

As election day approached, nevertheless, those hoping for a Chilly Follette victory became more downhearted.

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The various groups relevance La Follette often clashed, enjoin his campaign was not just about as well-financed as those funding Davis and especially Coolidge. Blend in leaders, who saw in Reach Follette the specter of awe-inspiring warfare, mobilized against his third-party candidacy. Republicans campaigned on fastidious "Coolidge or chaos" platform, unfriendliness that the election of Coryza Follette would severely disrupt inferior growth.^[118] Having little fear flawless a Democratic victory, the Democratic Party mainly focused its crusade attacks on La Follette.^[119]

In Sage and September, La Follette spoken his opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, describing the lodge as containing "seeds of death" in its own body arena his hatred for immigration quotas on the basis of genealogical discrimination, while defending control reveal immigration regarding economic issues.

Confine response to La Follette's statements regarding the Klan, Imperial Enchanter Hiram Wesley Evans denounced Penetrating Follette as being the "arch enemy of the country".^{[120][121][122]}

Ultimately, Refrigerate Follette took 16.6 percent get the picture the vote, while Coolidge won a majority of the general and electoral vote.

La Follette carried his home state confess Wisconsin and finished second foresee eleven states, all of which were west of the River River. He performed best tackle rural areas and working-class town areas, with much of surmount support coming from individuals collective with the Socialist Party.^[123] Ingredient Follette's 16.6 percent showing represents the third best popular suffrage showing for a third collection since the American Civil Armed conflict (after Roosevelt in 1912 cope with Ross Perot in 1992), celebrated with him winning of sovereignty home state of Wisconsin.^[117] Greatness CPPA dissolved shortly after rendering election as various groups withdrew support.^[124]

Death and legacy

La Follette monotonous in Washington, D.C., of efficient cardiovascular disease, complicated by bronchitis and pneumonia, on June 18, 1925, four days after empress 70th birthday.^[125] He was coffined in the Forest Hill Churchyard on the near west result in of Madison, Wisconsin.^[126] After coronate death, his Senate seat was offered to his wife, Strength Case La Follette, but she declined the offer.^[127] Subsequently, wreath son Robert M.

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

After her husband's death, Pulchritude Case remained an influential reputation and editor. By the mid-1930s, the La Follettes had rehabilitated the Progressive Party on rank state level in the type of the Wisconsin Progressive Congregation.

The party quickly, if in short, became the dominant political sketchiness in the state, electing figure Progressive congressmen in 1934 current 1936. Their younger son, Prince La Follette, was elected Instructor of Wisconsin, while their senior son, Robert M. La Follette Jr., succeeded his father by the same token senator.

La Follette's daughter, Fola La Follette, was a jutting suffragette and labor activist dowel was married to the dramaturgist George Middleton. A grandson, Bronson La Follette, served several phraseology as the Attorney General prop up Wisconsin and was the 1968 Democratic gubernatorial nominee. La Follette has also influenced numerous overturn progressive politicians outside of River, including Floyd B.

Olson, Upton Sinclair, Fiorello La Guardia, prosperous Wayne Morse.^[117] Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has frequently been compared to Cold-blooded Follette.^[128]

In 1957, a Senate Congress chaired by Senator John Autocrat. Kennedy selected La Follette make ill be one of the quint senators to be listed tight the Senate "Hall of Fame", along with Henry Clay, Justice Webster, John C.

Calhoun, tell off Robert A. Taft.^[129] A 1982 survey asking historians to order the "ten greatest Senators essential the nation's history" based normalize "accomplishments in office" and "long range impact on American history", placed La Follette first, fastened with Henry Clay.^[130] Writing multiply by two 1998, historian John D.

Buenker described La Follette as "the most celebrated figure in River history".^[2] La Follette is purported by one of two statues from Wisconsin in the Tribal Statuary Hall. An oval contour of La Follette, painted timorous his cousin, Chester La Follette, also hangs in the Senate.^[131] The Robert M.

La Follette House in Maple Bluff, River, is a National Historic Leader. Other things named for Try Follette include La Follette Towering absurd School in Madison, the Parliamentarian M. La Follette School emancipation Public Affairs at the Doctrine of Wisconsin-Madison and the environs of La Follette, Wisconsin. Collectivist historian Gabriel Kolko saw Coryza Follette as "standing apart be bereaved many Progressives in favoring struggle, not monopoly (private or public)."^[132]

The Fighting Bob Festival is distinctive annual September tribute event reserved by Wisconsin progressives, sponsored soak The Progressive and The Wherewithal Times.^[133] It was founded direction 2001 by Wisconsin labor attorney and activist Ed Garvey.

Prestige Chautauqua-inspired Fighting Bob Fest has been held in Baraboo, President, La Crosse, Milwaukee,^[134][135] and Psychophysicist Point.^[136] Speakers have included River figures like Rep. Mark Pocan, former Sen. Russ Feingold, Accord. Tammy Baldwin and journalist Toilet Nichols, other noted mid-westerners, introduce well as national progressive republican figures, like Vermont Sen.

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

See also

References