Bennett Law

The Bennett Law was a highly controversial state law passed in Wisconsin in 1889, that required the use of English in most schools. It affected the state's German-language private schools (and Norwegian schools), and was bitterly resented by the German Americans, who operated Catholic and Luthern parochial schools that used the German language. The Democrats, led by William F. Vilas took up the German cause and the Republicans, led by Governor William D. Hoard supported the law. The result was a major victory for the Democrats.

References

• Jensen, Richard J. The Winning of the Midwest, 1888-1896 (1971).