The History of 20th Century Protests & Social Action at UW-Madison

Compiled by Tyler C. Kennedy & David Null

The student body of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a rich and diverse history of activism and protest. This site does not claim to be all-inclusive, but instead attempts to provide a representative selection of student protest throughout the twentieth century, using sources from the University Archives.

The University Archives has much more material on most of these events, including the full oral histories from which the sound clips were taken. The University of Wisconsin Collection includes digital copies of the 4 volume history of the university, plus many other useful sources. The Wisconsin Historical Society Archives also has strong collections on social action.

To see several hundred more protest images click on the link at the bottom of each of these pages.

For additional information, comments, suggested additions, etc., please contact the University Archives.

1910s-1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

November 10, 1934	On the "eve of Armistice Day," several hundred students stage an anti-ROTC, anti-militarism, and anti-war parade from the Union to the Capitol and back, followed by a mass meeting on the lower campus.
December 5, 1934	Students protest at the Loraine Hotel over its refusal to accommodate African -American members of the traveling cast of Marc Connelly's play "Green Pastures."
April 12, 1935	Over 800 students leave their 11 o'clock classes for anti-war rally in Music Hall.
January 8, 1937	1000 students strike and disrupt classes, march to the Capitol, and into Governor Phil La Follette's office to protest the dismissal of President Glenn Frank by the Board of Regents. After a two day trial airing concerns about his leadership abilities and style, the Regents had voted 8-7 to dismiss Frank, in what many saw as a primarily political move. See the Chancellors and Presidents page for biographical information on all of UW-Madison's leaders.
April 12, 1937	500 students take part in a rally organized by the All-Campus Peace Strike Committee.
April, 1939	Student outcry helps convince the university to pull out of a track meet in April at the University of Missouri. That school would not allow Ed Smith, a UW African-American hurdler, to compete. To view an in-depth article from the Athletic Department, click here.