Nelson Aldrich facts for kids
Nelson Aldrich (1841-1915) was an important American politician. He was a Senator from Rhode Island and a member of the Republican Party. He was a strong leader for his party in the Senate, especially when Theodore Roosevelt was president. Nelson Aldrich was also the grandfather of Nelson Rockefeller, who later became a famous politician himself. He was a freemason.
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Who Was Nelson Aldrich?
Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich was born in 1841 in Foster, Rhode Island. He grew up and became a successful businessman. He worked in many different areas, including wholesale groceries and insurance. His business skills helped him understand how the economy worked.
Early Life and Start in Politics
Aldrich began his political career in his home state. He served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, which is like a state-level parliament. He even became the Speaker of the House, showing his leadership skills early on. Later, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Rhode Island.
A Powerful Senator
In 1881, Nelson Aldrich became a U.S. Senator. He served for 30 years, becoming one of the most powerful people in American politics. He was known for his deep knowledge of finance and economics. He played a big role in shaping laws about money and taxes.
The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill
One of the most famous laws Nelson Aldrich helped create was the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill in 1909. A "tariff" is a tax on goods brought into a country. This bill was meant to protect American businesses by making imported goods more expensive. However, it caused a lot of debate and disagreement at the time.
Family Connections
Nelson Aldrich had a large and influential family. His daughter, Abby Greene Aldrich, married John D. Rockefeller Jr. Their son was Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller. This made Nelson Aldrich the maternal grandfather of Nelson Rockefeller, who later became Vice President of the United States.
Images for kids
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Abigail Pearce Truman Chapman
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The signature of Nelson W. Aldrich
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Taft tries to get progressive ideas into Aldrich
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Aldrich's home in Providence, a National Historic Landmark
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Portrait of Senator Aldrich
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See also
In Spanish: Nelson W. Aldrich para niños
