George Rublee (1868-1957), was an eastern establishment lawyer and corporate liberal who made a significant contribution to economic reform legislation on the state and national levels during the progressive era. He was also involved in a number of important international events from 1917 to 1939. Despite his achievements, he has been largely overlooked. In this first biography of Rublee, McClure contends that any understanding of the history of the Federal Trade Commission and of U.S. foreign relations in World War I and the interwar period is incomplete without an understanding of...

Although a poor replacement for a professional military in wartime, the militia embodied a set of ideas that defined attitudes toward social order, civic responsibility, and the nature and relative powers of the government. It was the supreme expression of civic values in a traditional, communal, agrarian village society. Rowe argues that the antebellum militia should be seen as a social and political institution, rather than a military one, and contends that it is a key to understanding the political and social values of early 19th century America. Ultimately, changing social and...

Social change advocates won a remarkable series of victories during the 20th century. This study examines both successful and unsuccessful efforts, ranging from the women's suffrage movement of the 1910s to the divisive debate between Gore and Nader supporters during the 2000 election. Halpern details the ingredients essential to shaping progressive campaigns. While left-wing activists sustained grass roots movements and worked with allies in left-center coalitions, trade unions energized by progressive activists gave the efforts institutional weight with crucial assistance from Democratic...