Difference between revisions of "William Knowland"
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Knowland, a supporter of [[Joseph McCarthy]], was one of twenty-two mostly [[conservative]] senators who voted against the censure of Wisconsin Republican who had investigated and exposed [[communist]] infiltration of the U.S. government.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/1954McCarthyCensure.pdf 1954McCarthyCensure.pdf]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> The censure was backed by both moderate/liberal Republicans and the large majority of Democrats, including the Southern [[segregation]]ists. | Knowland, a supporter of [[Joseph McCarthy]], was one of twenty-two mostly [[conservative]] senators who voted against the censure of Wisconsin Republican who had investigated and exposed [[communist]] infiltration of the U.S. government.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/1954McCarthyCensure.pdf 1954McCarthyCensure.pdf]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> The censure was backed by both moderate/liberal Republicans and the large majority of Democrats, including the Southern [[segregation]]ists. | ||
| − | + | ===Civil Rights Act of 1957=== | |
| + | Largely a [[civil rights]] advocate, Knowland gave strong support to the [[Civil Rights Act of 1957]],<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/law/civil-rights-act-1957 Civil Rights Act of 1957]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> which he ensured Senate passage<ref>Knight, Martin (March 1, 2020). [https://redstate.com/diary/martin_a_knight/2020/03/01/791552-n241095 The Republican Party, Race and the South - Correcting The Record]. ''RedState''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> which he was the floor manager of<ref name=snac/> and voted for along with over 90% of Senate Republicans.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/s75 HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> He opposed efforts supported by the majority of Senate Democrats (both Northern and Southern) at the direction of future president [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] (who was the [[Senate Majority Leader]] at the time) which watered down the bill, voting against the removal of Title III (which allowed the [[United States Attorney General]] to seek preventative relief in civil rights cases)<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/s71 HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. AMENDMENT TO DELETE AUTHORITY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK PREVENTIVE RELIEF IN CIVIL RIGHTS CASES UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> and the [[jury trial amendment]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/s73 HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. AMENDMENT TO GUARANTEE JURY TRIALS IN ALL CASES OF CRIMINAL CONTEMPT AND PROVIDE UNIFORM METHODS FOR SELECTING FEDERAL COURT JURIES.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved April 22, 2021.</ref> According to Johnson biographer [[Robert A. Caro]] following the passage of the latter weakening amendment:<ref>Caro, Robert Allan (2003). ''Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson'' (p. 988). Knopf, A. A.</ref> | ||
{{cquote|In the wake of the vote, emotions spilled over. [[Richard Nixon]] could not contain his frustration and rage. When, as he was leaving the Chamber, reporters asked his reaction, the Vice President said, "This is one of the saddest days in the history of the Senate. It was a vote against the right to vote." Clarence Mitchell went to Knowland's office to discuss what to do now, and could hardly believe what he saw there. "That big, strong, brusque Knowland actually broke down and cried," Mitchell was to recall.}} | {{cquote|In the wake of the vote, emotions spilled over. [[Richard Nixon]] could not contain his frustration and rage. When, as he was leaving the Chamber, reporters asked his reaction, the Vice President said, "This is one of the saddest days in the history of the Senate. It was a vote against the right to vote." Clarence Mitchell went to Knowland's office to discuss what to do now, and could hardly believe what he saw there. "That big, strong, brusque Knowland actually broke down and cried," Mitchell was to recall.}} | ||
Revision as of 21:28, August 22, 2021
| William Fife “Bill” Knowland | |
 | |
| In office August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1959 | |
| Preceded by | Hiram Johnson |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Clair Engle |
State Senator from
California's 16th District | |
| In office January 7, 1935 – January 2, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Breed, Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Breed, Jr. |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 14th District
| |
| In office January 2, 1933 – January 7, 1935 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Israel |
| Succeeded by | Charles Wagner |
| Born | June 26, 1908 Alameda, California |
| Died | February 23, 1974 Guerneville, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Davis Herrick Ann Dickson |
| Children | Three (along with two stepchildren) |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Religion | Methodist[1][2] |
Military Service
| |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Forward Echelon Communications Zone Fifteenth United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
William Fife Knowland (June 26, 1908 – February 23, 1974), known as William F. Knowland or Bill Knowland,[3] was a California Republican who served as the state's U.S. senator from the mid-1940s to the late 50s, previously serving in the State Senate. He was known as an ardent anti-Communist throughout his tenure.
Political career
U.S. Senate
After the death of incumbent senator Hiram Warren Johnson, then-governor of California Earl Warren appointed Knowland as an interim to the seat.[4] Warren was later successfully nominated to the United States Supreme Court by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Sen. Knowland decried the takeover of China by the Chinese Communists in 1949 and strongly supported Chiang Kai-Shek,[4] who led the Chinese Nationalist Party. Following the downfall of Kai-Shek, Knowland opposed the entry of the China into the United Nations.[5]
A supporter of right-to-work laws, Knowland opposed closed shops.[1]
Knowland, a supporter of Joseph McCarthy, was one of twenty-two mostly conservative senators who voted against the censure of Wisconsin Republican who had investigated and exposed communist infiltration of the U.S. government.[6][7] The censure was backed by both moderate/liberal Republicans and the large majority of Democrats, including the Southern segregationists.
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Largely a civil rights advocate, Knowland gave strong support to the Civil Rights Act of 1957,[8] which he ensured Senate passage[9] which he was the floor manager of[5] and voted for along with over 90% of Senate Republicans.[10] He opposed efforts supported by the majority of Senate Democrats (both Northern and Southern) at the direction of future president Lyndon B. Johnson (who was the Senate Majority Leader at the time) which watered down the bill, voting against the removal of Title III (which allowed the United States Attorney General to seek preventative relief in civil rights cases)[11] and the jury trial amendment.[12] According to Johnson biographer Robert A. Caro following the passage of the latter weakening amendment:[13]
| “ | In the wake of the vote, emotions spilled over. Richard Nixon could not contain his frustration and rage. When, as he was leaving the Chamber, reporters asked his reaction, the Vice President said, "This is one of the saddest days in the history of the Senate. It was a vote against the right to vote." Clarence Mitchell went to Knowland's office to discuss what to do now, and could hardly believe what he saw there. "That big, strong, brusque Knowland actually broke down and cried," Mitchell was to recall. | ” |
The 1957 civil rights debate was not the only time Knowland proved to be outmaneuvered by the deceitful and shrewd Johnson.[5][14] After leaving the Senate, he was replaced as the Senate GOP leader by fellow Illinois conservative Everett Dirksen, who defeated Kentucky Moderate Republican John Sherman Cooper for the post.
Later political involvement
Knowland supported the candidacy of conservative Barry Goldwater for president in the 1964 election.[1]
Suicide
Knowland was found dead in late February 1974 in what appeared to be a suicide by gunshot,[1] which was soon confirmed by an autopsy.[3] Then-Vice President Gerald Ford stated:
| “ | I am deeply grieved by the death of Bill Knowland. Bill was a close personal friend of mine. He was an, outstanding American who served his country well in a time of great need. | ” |
See also
- U.S. "Party-switch" myth
- Thomas Kuchel, Knowland's Moderate Republican Senate colleague
- Styles Bridges
- Eugene Millikin
- William Purtell
- Bourke Hickenlooper
- Everett Dirksen
- Barry Goldwater
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 William E Knowland Is Apparent Suicide; Ex‐Senator Was 65. The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ Knighten to Knowland. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 February 25, 1974. KNOWLAND DEATH IS CALLED SUICIDE. The New York Times. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 William Knowland: A Featured Biography. United States Senate. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Knowland, William Fife, 1908-1974. Social Networks and Archival Context. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ↑ S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ 1954McCarthyCensure.pdf. United States Senate. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ Civil Rights Act of 1957. encyclopedia.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ Knight, Martin (March 1, 2020). The Republican Party, Race and the South - Correcting The Record. RedState. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. AMENDMENT TO DELETE AUTHORITY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK PREVENTIVE RELIEF IN CIVIL RIGHTS CASES UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ HR. 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. AMENDMENT TO GUARANTEE JURY TRIALS IN ALL CASES OF CRIMINAL CONTEMPT AND PROVIDE UNIFORM METHODS FOR SELECTING FEDERAL COURT JURIES.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ↑ Caro, Robert Allan (2003). Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson (p. 988). Knopf, A. A.
- ↑ FascinatingPolitics (August 30, 2021). The Wizard of Ooze: Everett Dirksen of Illinois. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
External links
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