Minnesota Democratic Party facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Minnesota Democratic Party
|
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 1849 |
| Dissolved | 1944 |
| Merged into | Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Colors | Blue |
The Minnesota Democratic Party was a political group in Minnesota that existed for many years. It started when Minnesota Territory was formed in 1849. The party lasted until 1944. In 1944, it joined with another group called the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party. Together, they created the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party we know today.
Early Years of the Party
For a short time after Minnesota became a state in 1858, the Minnesota Democratic Party was the strongest political group. But things changed after the 1860 presidential election. The Civil War also caused big problems for the party. It never really became the strongest party again after that.
Between 1860 and 1918, the Minnesota Democratic Party was usually the second-biggest party. The Republican Party was much stronger. During this time, Democrats only held the job of Governor of Minnesota for a total of seven years. They never controlled the state's law-making body, called the Minnesota Legislature. Also, Minnesota never voted for a Democratic president during this period.
Working with the Farmer-Labor Party
In 1918, the Farmer-Labor Party was created. This new party became the main group that opposed the Republicans. This meant the Minnesota Democratic Party became a "third party." It was not as powerful as the Republicans or the Farmer-Labor Party.
In the 1930s, the Farmer-Labor Party and the Democrats started working together more closely. This happened because Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson (from the Farmer-Labor Party) and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (a Democrat) had a good relationship.
With a lot of help from Farmer-Labor voters, President Roosevelt won Minnesota's votes in the 1932 election. He was the first Democrat to do this. He also won Minnesota in all his later elections. In the 1936 election for governor, the Democratic Party did not have its own candidate. Instead, they supported the Farmer-Labor candidate, Elmer Austin Benson.
The Big Merger
After the Farmer-Labor Party lost a lot of power in the 1938 election, many people thought the two parties should join. The national Democratic Party strongly encouraged this merger.
Even though some people in both parties did not want to merge, most agreed it was a good idea. Former Governor Benson led the Farmer-Labor Party in favor of the merger. A future Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey, led the Minnesota Democratic Party. In 1944, they officially joined together. This created the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which is still active today.
