Social

Addams, Jane, Settlement Houses, the Hull House – In September of 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr began the Hull House in Chicago, Illinois. This house began as a rundown building in a poor neighborhood of Chicago. The goal of this project was to reform the lives of many of Chicago’s poor people.

American Missionaries – American missionaries have played important roles in the exchange of American culture to all parts of the world.

Black Tuesday – The 1920’s in the United States seemed like a place of limitless possibilities. Economy was booming and millions were becoming rich on the stock market. As major businesses were bought and sold prices went up and up. Eventually getting too high and crashing on October 24th, 1929.

 Upton Sinclair writes The Jungle - The Jungle (1906) is the most famous novel written by the American author Upton Sinclair. It describes the life of a family of Lithuanian immigrants working in Chicago's Union Stock Yards at the end of the 19th century. Depicting, in drastic tones, poverty, the complete absence of social security, the scandalous living and working conditions, the lack of hygiene, and generally the utter hopelessness prevalent among the have-nots, which is contrasted with the deeply-rooted corruption on the part of the haves, The Jungle is a major critique of capitalism and an important example of the "muckraking" tradition begun by journalists such as Jacob Riis. The book's underlying message is that socialism is the only effective tool with which to fight unfettered capitalism and the only true remedy available to America's poor masses.

The Flappers and Jazz -The term flapper in the 1920s, referred to a "new breed" of young women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered "decent" behavior. The flappers were seen as brash in their time for wearing makeup, drinking hard liquor and smoking. Despite its popularity, the flapper lifestyle and look could not survive the Great Depression. The high-spirited attitude and hedonism simply could not find a place amid the economic hardships of the 1930s. In many ways, however, the self-reliant flapper had allowed the modern woman to make herself an integral and lasting part of the Western World. 

Effects of Rock & Roll - The massive popularity and worldwide scope of rock and roll resulted in an unprecedented level of social impact. Far beyond simply a musical style, rock and roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equalled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide and often performances of several artists in diverse arts and cultures are scaled to and appreciated as being close to that of a "rock star".

Development of Sign Language - Like spoken languages, sign languages emerge naturally in communities and change through time. The following list is grouped into three sections:  

“Boston Milk Party” - During the Great Depression of the 1930's, the prices of farm products dropped, while farmers' production and shipping costs increased. In 1933, small Wisconsin dairy farmers turned to what they called a "Boston Milk Party." In a series of strikes, they withheld milk and blocked it from the market.

Ceresco, (A Commune of Wisconsin) - In 1844, a group of 19 men and one boy set out from Kenosha to found a commune far from "the world of jargon, contention and confusion." The community was named Ceresco. The remnants of Ceresco can still be seen in the present day town of Ripon.

Chaplin, Sir Charles Spencer – Also known as ‘Charlie Chaplin’, one of the first academy award winning British comedy actors. He is also a notable director, and composer of music. (World)

Diana, Princess of Wales – An admired role model, organized many charity organizations, brought about the awareness of AIDS, and also focused on landmines. (World)

Duxbury Pier Light - The Duxbury Pier Light was built in 1871 in Plymouth Harbor. In 1964 the lighthouse was automated and the keepers were removed. Over the next two decades Duxbury Pier Light fell victim to vandalism and seabirds made themselves a home in the interior.

Dylan, Bob - One of the best-known figures of rock and roll, Bob Dylan, was born in Duluth. Dylan's use of folksongs in the 1960’s made him a sensation in the developing world of rock and roll. Dylan combined the sounds of the guitar with his raspy voice, and delivered lyrics that touched the heart.  The lyrics represent rights of American citizens. 

Earhart, Amelia - She was the first woman to attempt to fly a plane around the world. Unfortunately, the navigator, Amelia and the lock head Electra plane disappeared while on the flight.

Early Tourism in Northern Wisconsin - The growth of popularity of the automobile affected many aspects of American life, including the country's architecture. The automobile -- and the tourist industry it helped to grow - brought about a number of new building forms. Wisconsin, with its early tourist industry, was certainly affected by these changes. Motels with giant neon signs, drive-up diners in glass and steel, quaint or rustic tourist cabins, and of course the now ever-present gasoline service station, all appeared and multiplied between 1920 and 1940.

Enlightenment - Like the Scientific Revolution, this revolution was worldwide and affected millions of people.  Like scientists, Enlightenment thinkers applied reason and logic to the study of human nature and the improvement of society.

Gahndi, Mohomas – Peaceful and religious leader. (World)

Garden Homes of Milwaukee - Garden Homes is a Milwaukee Socialist housing experiment from the 1910’s. Milwaukee’s socialist city government built the homes on this land for this housing experiment, and stock was sold to occupants of homes in an attempt to provide better housing for workers.

Gideon International Society - When John H. Nicholson and Samuel E. Hill met at the Central House Hotel in 1889, they discussed the need for an organization of commercial travelers that would provide mutual help and recognition for Christian travelers. This discussion led to the founding of the Gideon International Society. Since its’ founding, the Gideon’s have distributed hundreds of millions of free Bibles for placement in hotel rooms around the world.

Great Awakening - This social reform movement from approximately 1720 to 1750 included revivals and public gatherings.  Jonathon Edwards and George Whitefield were two of the leaders of this movement.

Great Depression - The Great Depression was a period of severe national economic decline from 1929 to 1941.     

Goldman, Emma – Emma Goldman was an anarchist and lifelong agitator on behalf of “liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence and are therefore wrong and harmful.”  Goldman fled to the United States as a teenager where she was radicalized by the conditions of the urban laboring masses and the prevailing socialist and anarchist currents.  For her continuous activism she was jailed many times, gained national notoriety by the 1890’s and eventually was deported from the U.S.

Greendale Housing Project - Greendale was a depression era housing project built as part of the federal government work relief program. The Milwaukee suburban community was built entirely from scratch using the most progressive city planning theories and houses were communally owned.  In an effort to combat the economic effects of the Great Depression, the federal government initiated a number of public works programs throughout the country. The results of these federal policies remain evident in our communities today.  

Hepburn, Audry – Famous actress in the 50’s and 60’s,  looked up to and continued on to help out with different charities and organizations.

Ku Klux Klan - The Ku Klux Klan (K.K.K.) was a white supremacist group. They would attack and kill people that were in favor of blacks and those who supported black equality.

Marilyn Monroe - Born with the name of Norma Jean, Marilyn Monroe had a tough childhood while moving from home to home.  She died at the age of 36, on August 5^th, 1962, after a sleeping pill overdose.  

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE): Money as Power - Historically, it was the Dutch in the Colony of New York who began the exchange.  Today, NYSE is a world leader in exchange.  The exchange in New York is the largest of several financial markets.  Many people depend on the value of the stock, more than they realize, for necessities.   

Obey, David - A representative in the House of Representatives for over 40 years.  His influence and his reforms throughout his career have been instrumental in the area of political reform.  

Paine, Byron - Byron Paine was the most romantic figure ever to sit on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  His family members were strong abolitionists.  Paine was an ally of Sherman Both (a Wisconsin abolitionist).  He became circuit judge in 1856 and Supreme Court Justice in 1859.  

Peter, Paul & Mary - This legendary folk group wrote songs, which identified with the rights and responsibilities of American citizens.  Their works have spanned the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, & 1990’s.   

Presely, Elvis – One of the first people who woke up the world to rock and roll Rock and Roll.

The Salem Witch Trials - The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 was a very sad time in our country’s history.  The reaction to these trials and the changes seen after 1692 were dramatic.  For starters, Puritans abandoned their theocracy, church and state as one, which led to the separation of church and state.  

Salvation Army – The Salvation Army provides itself on being a “church with its sleeves rolled up,” a religious organization dedicated to winning the world over for Christ primarily be ministering to the needs of those who are “down and out.”  In addition to preaching its eleven doctrines on street corners and in missions, the Salvation Army founded thousands of institutions to aid hundreds of thousands of unfortunate individuals worldwide, and it exemplified the spirit of the Social Gospel that became so important during the Progressive Era in the United States.

Spielberg, Steven – Significant figure who brought a new style to Hollywood movies.

Stock Exchange - Financial markets came to prominence during the 17^th century at the start of the industrial revolution. Businesses needed vast amounts of capital to buy bigger premises and new machinery. Needing more money, which is  why the stock exchange was started.

Temperance Movement - Reformers established the American Temperance Society and the American Temperance Union to spread the word about the negative effects of alcohol.  Lymann Beecher, a minister, led this crusade.  Neal Dow went a step further and pushed for the outlawing of the sale of alcohol.  She was successful.  In 1851, Maine passed a law, which made the selling of alcohol illegal.

Terrorism - The terrorism attack on September 11^th, 2001, shook despair in the lives of many Americans.  Terrorism affects the stock markets.  Fear from the terrorist attack resulted in a worldwide close on the stock market for about a week.  The terrorist attack left a permanent scar that will forever be remembered.

Trial of John Peter Zenger - During colonial times, a young German printer named John Peter Zenger was asked to print articles about the Royal governor of New York.  Zenger was sued in a court for the publishing of libel.  Zenger won his court case. This case was the beginning of the revolution in the Freedom of the Press.

Walt Disney – Creator of the Disney franchise, with an imagination that shaped and impacted the lives of millions of people around the world.

Weber, Frank - born near Milwaukee was a pioneer member of the Socialist party and of the Federal Trades Council in 1887. He also founded the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor and organized the seamen's unions for the Knights of Labor and the brewery workers in Milwaukee. Weber also served eight years in the legislature and was a leading figure in the fight for the Workingmen's Compensation Act, old age pensions, and other progressive legislation.

Whiskey Rebellion - Washington’s strong reaction to a possible rebellion over a tax on Whiskey quickly puts down the Whiskey Rebellion.

Willard, Frances E. - In 1846, Willard’s parents moved her to a small farmstead near Janesville, Wisconsin.  By the 1870’s, Frances Willard had become a national leader in the temperance movement.  The temperance movement was a reform of the consumption on alcohol in this country.  She was even elected president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).  In 1883, she traveled to every state and territory in the United States and gave speeches there. 

Yellow Journalism With Hearst and Pulitzer - In 1890, two popular New York newspapers, one owned by William Randolph Hearst and the other one owned by Joseph Pulitzer, were competing bitterly for readers. Both newspapers played up crime and scandals to increase sales.  This type of journalism was known as Yellow Journalism.