| − | While Progressivists supported government intervention in the economy and society, Socialists, who dominated especially in [[Milwaukee]] around the same time, were more extreme, supporting the total replacement of [[capitalism]] with "a [[planned economy]] of state-owned industries."<ref name="SewerS">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-043/?action=more_essay Milwaukee Sewer Socialism]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> While there was socialist political activity for years prior, "the first formal manifestation of Socialism in Milwaukee came with the establishment of the Social-Democratic Party in 1897,"<ref name="SewerS"/> which eventually became the [[Socialist Party of America]]. The party was led by [[Victor Berger]], who in 1910 became the first Socialist Party candidate elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref name="SewerS"/> In that same election, the Socialist Party took complete control over Milwaukee city and county.<ref name="SewerS"/> While the Socialists, including Berger and Milwaukee mayor Emil Seidel, were defeated in the 1912 election, Socialists were soon elected again and would continue to play a prominent but reduced role in Milwaukee politics for several decades.<ref name="SewerS"/> | + | While Progressivists supported government intervention in the economy and society, the [[leftist]] Socialists, who dominated especially in [[Milwaukee]] around the same time, were more extreme, supporting the total replacement of [[capitalism]] with a very expansive government, as well as "a [[planned economy]] of state-owned industries."<ref name="SewerS">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-043/?action=more_essay Milwaukee Sewer Socialism]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 23, 2016.</ref> While there was socialist political activity for years prior, "the first formal manifestation of Socialism in Milwaukee came with the establishment of the Social-Democratic Party in 1897,"<ref name="SewerS"/> which eventually became the [[Socialist Party of America]]. The party was led by [[Victor Berger]], who in 1910 became the first Socialist Party candidate elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref name="SewerS"/> In that same election, the Socialist Party took complete control over Milwaukee city and county.<ref name="SewerS"/> While the Socialists, including Berger and Milwaukee mayor Emil Seidel, were defeated in the 1912 election, Socialists were soon elected again and would continue to play a prominent but reduced role in Milwaukee politics for several decades.<ref name="SewerS"/> |
| | + | Due to their emphasis on the basics of municipal service, Milwaukee Socialists were often called "sewer socialists".<ref name="SewerS"/> The last Socialist mayor in Milwaukee was Frank P. Zeidler, who was mayor from 1948 to 1960.<ref>[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS346 Frank P. Zeidler — The Last Socialist to Run a Major American City]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> |
| | + | While Wisconsin is notable for its left-wing Progressivist and Socialist movements, numerous prominent conservatives also came from the state. One of them, [[Joseph McCarthy]], is notable for his strong [[Anti-Communist|anti-communism]] and his active attempts to uncover Communist subversives in the U.S. government.<ref>[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1774.html Joseph McCarthy]. ''u-s-history.com''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>de Toledano, Ralph (April 25, 2005). [http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-real-mccarthy/ The Real McCarthy]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> |
| | + | [[Tommy Thompson]] was another prominent conservative, although he has also been considered a moderate.<ref>Walker, Dan (November 7, 2012). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/after-a-long-career-tommy-makes-his-political-exit-n77hmjj-177593341.html After a long career, Tommy makes his political exit]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He most prominently served as governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, and is famous for reforming the state's welfare system in order to reduce dependence on government, reducing the state's welfare [[caseload]] by 93 percent.<ref name="Thompson">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-060/?action=more_essay Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>Perlman, Ellen (1997). [http://www.governing.com/poy/Tommy-Thompson.html Tommy G. Thompson]. ''Governing''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He also "created the nation's first school choice program" in 1990.<ref name="Thompson"/> Despite Thompson's accomplishments, they have been surpassed by [[Scott Walker]], discussed below. |