**1944 United States presidential election in North Carolina**
**Definition:**
The 1944 United States presidential election in North Carolina was part of the nationwide presidential election held on November 7, 1944. In this election, North Carolina voters chose electors to the Electoral College who voted for the Democratic incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt or the Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey.
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# 1944 United States Presidential Election in North Carolina
The 1944 United States presidential election in North Carolina was held on November 7, 1944, as part of the broader national election. North Carolina voters participated in selecting 14 electors to the Electoral College, who then cast their votes for president and vice president. The contest featured incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democratic nominee seeking an unprecedented fourth term, against Republican Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York. Roosevelt won North Carolina by a comfortable margin, continuing the state’s long-standing Democratic loyalty during this era.
## Historical Context
### Political Landscape of North Carolina in the 1940s
In the 1940s, North Carolina was part of the „Solid South,” a region that had consistently supported the Democratic Party since the end of Reconstruction. This loyalty was rooted in the legacy of the Civil War, Reconstruction policies, and the disenfranchisement of African American voters through Jim Crow laws and poll taxes. The Democratic Party dominated state and local politics, and Republican influence was minimal, especially in presidential elections.
However, North Carolina was somewhat more moderate compared to other Deep South states. It had a more diversified economy, including significant urban and industrial centers such as Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham, which contributed to a somewhat more competitive political environment. Despite this, the Democratic Party maintained a strong grip on the state’s electoral votes.
### National Context: World War II and Roosevelt’s Fourth Term
The 1944 election took place during the final years of World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt was running for an unprecedented fourth term, emphasizing his leadership during the war and the need for continuity in government. His New Deal policies had reshaped American politics and society during the Great Depression, and his wartime leadership had earned him widespread support.
Thomas E. Dewey, the Republican candidate, was the Governor of New York and represented a more moderate Republican platform. Dewey criticized some aspects of Roosevelt’s domestic policies but largely supported the war effort. The election was framed as a choice between continuing Roosevelt’s leadership through the war or seeking change.
## Candidates
### Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic Party)
– **Home State:** New York
– **Running Mate:** Harry S. Truman
– **Incumbent President:** Seeking a fourth term
– **Platform:** Continuation of New Deal policies, strong wartime leadership, post-war planning
Roosevelt’s campaign in North Carolina emphasized his record of economic recovery and leadership during the war. His choice of Harry S. Truman as running mate was partly to reassure voters of stable succession, as Roosevelt’s health was declining.
### Thomas E. Dewey (Republican Party)
– **Home State:** New York
– **Running Mate:** John W. Bricker
– **Position:** Governor of New York
– **Platform:** Criticism of New Deal excesses, support for efficient government, continuation of the war effort
Dewey’s campaign sought to appeal to voters desiring change and more conservative fiscal policies. However, his message had limited traction in the South, where Democratic loyalty remained strong.
## Campaign in North Carolina
The campaign in North Carolina was relatively low-key compared to more competitive states. Roosevelt’s popularity and the Democratic Party’s dominance meant that the state was considered a safe Democratic hold. Local Democratic leaders mobilized voters by emphasizing Roosevelt’s leadership and the importance of unity during wartime.
Republican efforts focused on urban areas and some western counties where Republican support was historically stronger, but these efforts were insufficient to overcome the Democratic advantage.
## Election Results
### Vote Totals and Percentages
– **Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic):** 537,069 votes (66.71%)
– **Thomas E. Dewey (Republican):** 267,649 votes (33.24%)
Roosevelt won all 14 of North Carolina’s electoral votes, reflecting a decisive victory. The margin of victory was approximately 33 percentage points, underscoring the state’s strong Democratic leanings.
### Geographic Distribution
Roosevelt’s support was widespread across the state, including rural areas, small towns, and urban centers. Dewey’s support was concentrated in some western mountain counties and urban precincts with more Republican-leaning voters, but these pockets were not large enough to challenge the Democratic majority.
## Analysis
### Factors Contributing to Roosevelt’s Victory
1. **Democratic Party Dominance:** The legacy of the Solid South ensured that Democratic candidates had a built-in advantage in North Carolina. The party’s control of state politics and voter mobilization efforts were significant factors.
2. **Wartime Leadership:** Roosevelt’s leadership during World War II was a critical factor. Many voters preferred continuity in leadership during a time of global conflict.
3. **Economic Recovery:** The New Deal programs had helped alleviate some of the economic hardships of the Great Depression, which resonated with many North Carolinians.
4. **Limited Republican Appeal:** The Republican Party’s platform and candidate had limited appeal in the South, where the party was often associated with Reconstruction and Northern interests.
### Republican Performance
While Dewey lost decisively, his 33% share of the vote was relatively strong for a Republican in North Carolina during this period. This indicated some inroads in urban and western areas, foreshadowing the gradual political realignment that would occur in the South in later decades.
## Aftermath and Legacy
Roosevelt’s victory in North Carolina contributed to his overall national success, securing a fourth term as president. However, his health deteriorated rapidly after the election, and he died in April 1945, leading to Harry S. Truman’s succession.
The 1944 election reaffirmed North Carolina’s status as a Democratic stronghold, but the modest Republican gains hinted at the slow political shifts that would eventually transform Southern politics. Over the following decades, issues such as civil rights, economic development, and national party realignments would reshape the political landscape of North Carolina and the South as a whole.
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## See Also
– United States presidential elections in North Carolina
– 1944 United States presidential election
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
– Thomas E. Dewey
– Political history of North Carolina
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## References
*Note: This article is based on historical election data and political analysis from the mid-20th century.*
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 1944 United States presidential election in North Carolina saw incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt win decisively over Thomas E. Dewey, reflecting the state’s strong Democratic loyalty during World War II. This election marked Roosevelt’s fourth term amid wartime leadership and economic recovery.