Hubert Humphrey

Hubert Humphrey
Library of Congress · Public domain · source
Name	Hubert Humphrey
Caption	Humphrey in 1964
Office	38th Vice President of the United States
President	Lyndon B. Johnson
Term start	January 20, 1965
Term end	January 20, 1969
Predecessor	Lyndon B. Johnson
Successor	Spiro Agnew
Office1	United States Senator from Minnesota
Term start1	January 3, 1949
Term end1	December 29, 1964
Predecessor1	Joseph H. Ball
Successor1	Walter Mondale
Term start2	January 3, 1971
Term end2	January 13, 1978
Predecessor2	Eugene McCarthy
Successor2	Muriel Humphrey
Office3	Mayor of Minneapolis
Term start3	July 2, 1945
Term end3	November 30, 1948
Predecessor3	Marvin L. Kline
Successor3	Eric G. Hoyer
Birth date	May 27, 1911
Birth place	Wallace, South Dakota
Death date	January 13, 1978
Death place	Waverly, Minnesota
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Muriel Humphrey
Alma mater	University of Minnesota, Louisiana State University

Hubert Humphrey was an American politician who served as the 38th Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson and as a United States Senator from Minnesota. A leading figure in the Democratic Party for decades, he was one of the most prominent and effective legislative champions of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century, instrumental in passing landmark federal legislation.

Early life and political career

Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. was born in Wallace, South Dakota, and later attended the University of Minnesota and Louisiana State University, where he earned a master's degree in political science. His early career was marked by work as a pharmacist and college instructor. His political philosophy was deeply influenced by the New Deal and the progressive tradition of the Midwest. Elected Mayor of Minneapolis in 1945, he gained national attention for his vigorous efforts against racial discrimination and antisemitism, establishing one of the nation's first municipal fair employment practices committees. This early work positioned him as a rising star in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.

1948 Democratic National Convention and civil rights

Humphrey's national reputation was forged at the 1948 Democratic National Convention. As leader of the liberal delegates, he delivered a historic speech urging the party to adopt a strong civil rights plank into its platform. His passionate declaration, "The time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and to walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights," was a direct challenge to the Southern segregationist wing. The plank's adoption led to a walkout by many Southern Democrats, who formed the Dixiecrat party and nominated Strom Thurmond for president. This pivotal moment redefined the Democratic Party's commitment to civil rights and set the stage for future federal action.

Leadership in the Senate and civil rights legislation

Elected to the United States Senate in 1948, Humphrey became a key strategist and floor manager for major civil rights bills. As the Senate Majority Whip, he worked closely with leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson (then Senate Majority Leader) and built coalitions with moderate Republicans, including Everett Dirksen. His most significant achievement was as the floor manager for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He played a crucial role in breaking the filibuster led by Southern senators like Richard Russell Jr., helping to secure the bill's passage. He was also instrumental in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included the Fair Housing Act.

Vice Presidency under Lyndon B. Johnson

Humphrey was selected as Lyndon B. Johnson's running mate in the 1964 presidential election and served as Vice President from 1965 to 1969. In this role, he was a steadfast advocate for Johnson's Great Society programs, including the War on Poverty and civil rights enforcement. He chaired the President's Council on Equal Opportunity and traveled extensively to promote the administration's agenda. However, his unwavering loyalty to Johnson's increasingly unpopular policies regarding the Vietnam War during the conflict would later become a significant political liability.

1968 presidential campaign and civil rights

Humphrey won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968 following the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.. His campaign was heavily burdened by his association with the Johnson administration's Vietnam War policy, which sparked massive protests, notably at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. On civil rights, his platform was robust, calling for continued enforcement of existing laws and new initiatives for economic justice. However, the fracture within the Democratic coalition over the war and the strong third-party challenge from George Wallace, who ran on a segregationist platform, contributed to his narrow loss to Richard Nixon in the general election.

Later Senate career and legacy

Returning to the United States Senate in 1971, Humphrey remained a influential voice for liberal causes, including healthcare reform and full employment legislation. He co-authored the Humphrey–Hawkins Full Employment Act. His legacy in the Civil Rights Movement is profound. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective legislative architects of the era's landmark civil rights laws. His 1948 convention speech marked a turning point in national party politics, and his Senate leadership was critical in translating the movement's moral demands into enduring federal law. The Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota stands as a testament to his lifelong commitment to public service and social justice.