California Democratic Council Records, 1963-1980 bulk 1970s

Summary

Creators:

California Democratic Council

Abstract:

The California Democratic Council (CDC) was established in 1953 and is a federation of local volunteer clubs. CDC endorsements and campaign support led to the first full statewide slate of Democrats in 40 years (1954) and also figured prominently in the election of Edmund G. Pat Brown as California governor in 1958. The collection consists of correspondence, minutes, newsletters, resolutions, and notes of the California Democratic Council from 1963-80.

Extent:

51 boxes (25.5 linear ft.) 1 oversize box

Language:

English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of correspondence, minutes, newsletters, resolutions, and notes of the California Democratic Council from 1963-80. The bulk of the collection is from the 1970s, and topics covered include fundraising, conventions, legislative and political actions, and affiliated local clubs.

Biographical / historical:

The California Democratic Council (CDC), a federation of local volunteer clubs, was established in 1953; under the direction of founding president Alan Cranston, the CDC was able to balance its electoral and legislative goals; CDC endorsements and campaign support led to the first full statewide slate of Democrats in 40 years (1954) and also figured prominently in the election of Edmund G. Pat Brown as California governor in 1958; as the CDC's focus became increasingly ideological, tensions led to a steady decline in its membership and presence in California politics; membership peaked at 75,000 in 1964.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Knox Mellon, Jr., 1969.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

1. Current administration.
2. Resolutions and issues.
3. CDC fundraisers and champions.
4. Rules and by-laws.
5. Conventions.
6. Political action.
7. Minutes and board meetings.
8. Legislative action.
9. Club newsletters.
10. Press.
11. Scrapbook.
12. [Unlabeled].

Physical location:

Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Related resources

Related material:

CDC Officer: 1953-1965 [oral history transcript] / Joseph L. Wyatt, interviewee. UCLA Oral History Department interview, 1971. Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

The California Democratic Council and Grass-Roots Politics Oral History Transcript [oral history transcript] / Charles G. Gant, interviewee. UCLA Oral History Department interview, 1970. Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

Joseph L. Wyatt Collection of California Democratic Council Records (Collection 1082) Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

Tom B. Carvey Papers (Collection 1110) Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

Location of this collection:

UCLA, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library

A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US

Contact:

(310) 825-4988

AskLSC@library.ucla.edu

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