Stand Up! : The Story of Minnesota’s Protest Tradition

When the senatorial election of 2008 between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman stretched on for a contentious six months, people throughout the country wondered about Minnesota's offbeat politics. But Minnesota has been and is now a seedbed for cultural and political movements that have changed the country, and its history weaves a pattern of wide opposition between left and right. In this broad and readable narrative, eminent Minnesota historian Rhoda R. Gilman covers the major protest movements of the last 150 years: the abolitionist Republican party, Grangers, antimonopolists, Populists, strikers, progressives, suffragists, Communists, Farmer-Laborites, communes and co-ops, abortion politics, and more. She profiles charismatic and quirky leaders like Ignatius Donnelly, Floyd B. Olson, and Paul Wellstone. Each movement, each personality, is part of the context for the others. Stand Up! tells a story of people repeatedly challenging the status quo. It is a narrative of people against power, of conflict and defeat, but also of change and tenacity. In a forceful and inspirational conclusion, Gilman discusses the events that she herself has helped to shape and shares her vision of the future. Minnesota Has Been And Is Now A Seedbed For Cultural And Political Movements That Have Changed The Country, And Its History Weaves A Pattern Of Wide Opposition Between Left And Right. This Is The Story Of A People Who Are Repeatedly Challenging The Status Quo. The Acres And The Hands -- The Abolition Wagon -- Grangers And Greenbacks -- Populism At The Polls -- Strikes And Strikebreakers -- The Progressive Era : From Revolt To Reform -- War Makes New Allies -- The Rise Of The Farmer-labor Party -- War In Minneapolis -- Fellow Travelers And Merger -- A New Progressive Era -- Deepening Divisions -- A Swing To The Right -- Ecopolitics And New Parties -- Conclusion: Stand Up! Rhoda R. Gilman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.