Burton Kendall Wheeler (February 27, 1882 – January 6, 1975) was an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Senator from Montana from 1923 to 1947. A prominent and influential figure in American politics during the early and mid-20th century, Wheeler was known for his progressive policies, opposition to corporate interests, and [[isolationist]] views during World War II. Born in Hudson, Massachusetts, Wheeler moved to Montana in 1905 after graduating from law school. He established a legal practice and became involved in local politics. In 1910, Wheeler was appointed as a U.S. Attorney for Montana, where he gained a reputation for fighting against corporate interests, particularly in the railroad and mining industries. ## Political career Wheeler was elected to the United States [[Senate]] as a Democrat in 1922, and he served four terms until his defeat in the 1946 election. As a senator, Wheeler focused on progressive policies and worked to protect the rights of farmers, laborers, and consumers. He was a strong advocate for public power projects, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Rural Electrification Administration. In 1924, Wheeler was selected as the vice-presidential candidate for the Progressive Party, running alongside Wisconsin Senator Robert M. La Follette in one of the more notable [[Third Party Runs for US President]] in American history. The La Follette-Wheeler ticket won 17% of the popular vote but failed to capture the presidency. ## Isolationism and World War II Wheeler was a staunch isolationist and believed that the United States should avoid entanglements in foreign conflicts. He opposed American intervention in both [[World War I]] and the [[World War II Timeline]], and was a vocal critic of President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s foreign policy. Wheeler was one of the leading members of the [[America First Committee (AFC)]], which sought to keep the U.S. out of WWII. During the war, Wheeler's isolationist views and criticism of FDR's policies led to accusations of disloyalty and being labeled as a "copperhead" (a term used for opponents of the [[Civil War]] who sympathized with the [[Confederates]]). Despite the controversy, Wheeler continued to serve in the Senate until his defeat in the 1946 Democratic primary. ## Later life and legacy After leaving the [[Senate]], Wheeler returned to his law practice and continued to be active in Democratic politics. He passed away on January 6, 1975, at the age of 92. Throughout his career, Burton K. Wheeler was an advocate for progressive policies and the protection of individual rights. Although his [[isolationist]] views and opposition to U.S. involvement in World War II were controversial, he remains an important figure in American political history for his dedication to fighting against corporate interests and championing the needs of the common citizen.