Dr. Matthew Levin’s Cold War University offers a look at the circumstances that surrounded UW-Madison’s burst on to the national scene in the mid 20th century as one of the most politically active campuses in America. Through an interview with Dr. Levin himself and an analysis of his book, this article discusses how Wisconsin’s politically diverse climate, combined with the blending of in-state and out-of-state students informed what would become an epicenter of anti-war and Civil Rights protests.
Year: 2023
Student Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam: A Pivotal Moment in Student Protest
The Student Mobilization Committee (SMC) was one of the most influential student-led groups of nonviolent protest in America’s history. The SMC developed clear goals that they adhered to, and their movements were organized and peaceful.
Seven Days that Ended the Prague Spring
“Prague Spring” was a liberalization attempt led by Alexander Dubček, the newly elected first secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, to reform socialism in Czechoslovakia and create a more humane version of communism in April 1968. The program included economic and political reforms, the latter specifically focusing on the freedom of speech and press.
Juno Frankie Pierce: The Untold Story of a Southern Suffragist
Juno Frankie Pierce, more well-known as Frankie Pierce, was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1864. She was the daughter of Frank Seay, a freedman, and Nellie Seay, a former slave to Colonel Robert Allen, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Urban Renewal on the Northside of Chicago: Influence of Nonviolent and Violent Protest
Urban renewal projects go hand in hand with gentrification and the displacement of thousands of minorities. The process of urban renewal did not occur without community involvement or community backlash. Many of these projects across U.S. cities were met with both nonviolent and violent tactics to dissuade the destruction of city blocks.
How Martin Luther King Jr. found his Love-Force
This article explores King’s upbringing, influences, and his intellectual journey towards discovering the concept of Satyagraha.
Protests in the Age of Social Media
In the last two decades, social media has become a central part of our daily life and a catalyst for change in society. With over 4 billion people using social media globally, various platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram have become a way for people to express themselves and share information about topics they are passionate about.
May 4th, 1919: the Birthday of Modern China
For more than 2,000 years China was ruled by emperors. These men who commanded the country possessed absolute authority and governed by divine right. During this time, cycles of political struggle and war facilitated the rise and fall of dynasty after dynasty. Of course, no empire lasts forever, and in the autumn of 1911, the last Chinese dynasty (the Great Qing) was toppled by a coalition of revolutionaries.
Sifting and Reckoning – Unmasking Madison’s Façade of a Liberal Utopia
The Fall 2022 semester at UW-Madison saw the installation and opening of the Public History Project’s Sifting and Reckoning exhibit. Sanctioned by former Chancellor Rebecca Blank in 2019, the Public History Project aims to “uncover and give voice to those who experienced and challenged bigotry and exclusion on campus.”
The Body’s Cartography: on Dance, Queerness, and White Hegemonic Masculinity
This paper was written by Jackson Neal and was awarded the Civil Resistance Prize by the History Department in 2022. It was written for a class taught by Professor Christopher Walker. I started dancing in …