Bob La Follette-Claire Haley

Bob La Follette

Claire Haley
Period 2
Source
Video


Robert La Follette was a republican United States senator from Wisconsin, who was in office from 1906 – 1925. He was the Governor of Wisconsin for 5 years. He was best known for reforming the nation's voting system by setting up the direct primary, allowing citizens to select nominees for upcoming elections. He also championed the rights of minorities and advocated women's right to vote, despite the constant struggle.

In his home state, he was convinced industry and railroad interests had too much sway over the party. To counter this, La Follette began building an independent organization within the party that stressed voter control. The party dissidents who joined La Follette became known as "Insurgents" and their opponents within the party were called the "Stalwarts." The Insurgents' call for reform gained more support after the Panic of 1893 shook up the economic, class, and ethnic assumptions held by most Americans.

After securing his senator nomination, he traveled to 61 counties, gave 216 speeches and spoke to 200,000 people." He ended up winning the 1900 race for governor by 100,000 votes. He pressured the state legislature to require each party to hold a direct primary, in which all party members could vote for a candidate to run in the general election. This new idea soon became known as the "laboratory of democracy." The idea spread, and many states started implementing this new principle into their government.

He adamantly opposed U.S. entry into World War I, believing that disputes should be solved peacefully. Although he was accused of being unpatriotic, La Follette believed that America's involvement in the war would end democratic reforms at home. Though critics declared that his opposition to the war was political suicide, La Follette was re-elected to the Senate in 1922. In 1924, he lost the presidential election to Republican Calvin Coolidge. La Follette died the following year.