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Robert M. La Follette Robert M. La Follette was born in Primrose, Wisconsin on June 14, 1855. He grew up without his real father, who died when he was just 8 months old. When Robert was only 3 years old he performed a two-line poem on top of a teacher’s desk at a schoolhouse a mile from his home. His poem read, “You’d not expect one of my age, to speak in public on the stage.” And La Follette was right; he was known to always do the unexpected at the youngest of ages. His stepfather knew that with all of the talent and courage this young man had, he could grow up to be a “very wonderful man, or a very bad one.” Even though Robert cannot remember his father’s actual presence, he did inherit his beliefs. No one was surprised that Robert grew into Republicanism. The family legend was that his father and other La Follette children of that same generation once played with Abraham Lincoln. La Follette was also known for his beliefs about the surrounding agricultural community. His father always suggested that he study law. He went on to college just barely graduating but achieving other accomplishments on the way. He won the 1878 state oratorical contest and the Inter-State Oratorical Contest the next year.

From 1901 – 1906 La Follette served as the governor of Wisconsin and later as a Senator from 1906 – 1925. During this time many big industries and the revolution of the work force began to really take off. Many people, however, who were born and raised on farms weren’t used to the new concept and felt uneasy about the change. They didn’t want big companies running the government because the government’s purpose is to serve all of the people. They wanted to limit corporations’ power when it came to citizen’s needs. Someone who strongly agreed with this was Robert M. La Follette.

Once in office, La Follette did everything he could to “improve public morality”. He believed that with the help of the University of Wisconsin’s research they could solve the problems, improve health, the quality of life, the environment and agriculture for all citizens of the state. This way, they could benefit the most people with the most logical of ways. La Follette also presented other progressive reforms such as the first workers compensation, direct legislation, minimum wage, etc. His main goal was to give citizen’s more of a direct goal in the government. Robert, however, wasn’t the only Republican trying to tackle these problems and nor did he solve them. He did, although; create a great platform for progressivism in the future.

 1930s, the, when depression, unemployment dominated American public life, such as Edwin Witte (author of the 1935 Social Security act), the momentum of La Follette, his allies rippled down through the decades into John Kennedy's "New Frontier", and Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" programs.. "Progressivism and the Wisconsin Idea - Wisconsin Historical Society." //Wisconsin Historical Society//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

"La Follette and His Legacy." //La Follette School of Public Affairs Home//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

"Robert M. La Follette." //Architect of the Capitol - U.S. Capitol//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

"Robert M. La Follette, Sr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

te=236703956. "Wisconsin Idea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .