Over my time at The Dakotan, I’ve referenced the Nonpartisan League (NPL) quite frequently on our podcasts. Today, I want to take a deeper dive into its history, how it emerged from agrarian populism and early 20th-century Progressivism to become one of North Dakota’s most transformative political movements. Born largely out of farmer frustration, the NPL reshaped the state’s political landscape with populist reforms and state-controlled industries. This article will touch on its origins, rise to power, key figures, and lasting influence into today.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, North Dakota farmers were at the mercy of monopolistic grain companies and railroad corporations, which dictated prices and shipping costs. Predatory lending by out-of-state banks worsened their financial hardships, trapping many in cycles of debt. While farmers initially aligned with the broader Populist movement, supporting figures like James B. Weaver and William Jennings Bryan, national reforms failed to bring lasting relief. Early attempts to counter these hardships came through farmer cooperatives and political groups like the Farmers’ Alliance and the Populist Party, but these movements struggled to maintain traction, especially as Populism declined in the early 1900s. Recognizing the need for a state-focused approach, frustrated farmers sought a new political solution, culminating in the formation of the Nonpartisan League (NPL) in 1915, which united farmers behind policies that prioritized their interests over those of out-of-state business elites.
Much of the progressive ideology that fueled the NPL was rooted in Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 Bull Moose Party, which championed government regulation of big business, workers’ rights, and economic reforms. The Bull Moose platform called for breaking up monopolies, implementing social welfare programs, and ensuring economic fairness—many of the same goals that would later define the NPL’s agenda in North Dakota. Though Roosevelt’s ideas were unsuccessful at the national level, they found fertile ground in the rural Midwest, where farmers saw state intervention as a necessary tool to counteract corporate exploitation.
Arthur C. Townley, a former Socialist organizer, recognized the need for a dedicated political force advocating for farmers. In 1915, he founded the Nonpartisan League with a bold yet realistic vision: state ownership of essential industries such as banks, grain elevators, and mills to ensure fair treatment for North Dakota farmers. Unlike previous reform efforts, the NPL concentrated on winning state-level elections rather than lobbying existing parties. Townley’s plan was to run candidates in the primary of the party most likely to win in any given district.
The NPL exceeded all expectations and achieved a major breakthrough in the 1916 elections, securing control of the state legislature and electing Lynn Frazier as governor. With its newfound power, the NPL implemented sweeping reforms, most notably establishing the Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill and Elevator, both of which remain in operation today. These institutions provided farmers with financial security and market stability, protecting them from the exploitative practices of corporate monopolies. Townley’s ability to unify rural voters and farmers was instrumental in securing these fast victories and enacting policies that reshaped the state both socially and politically.
Townley and Frazier weren’t the only key figures behind the NPL’s rise. William Lemke and William “Wild Bill” Langer also played significant roles in shaping the movement’s trajectory. Lemke, an early leader and staunch advocate for farmers, was instrumental in crafting NPL policies and later carried its ideals to the national stage as a U.S. Congressman and then the first North Dakotan to run for President. Langer, known for his bold political maneuvers and charismatic appeal, initially backed the NPL but later distanced himself due to internal power struggles and legal battles (something I'll dive into in the future). Despite this turbulence, he remained a dominant force in North Dakota politics, serving multiple terms as governor and U.S. Senator. His influence extended beyond the NPL, shaping the state’s political direction for decades.
During the 1920s, the NPL faced mounting opposition from business interests and conservative political forces determined to curb its influence. The recall of Governor Lynn Frazier in 1921 (the first ever in US history) marked a significant setback, as anti-NPL factions exploited internal divisions and growing public dissatisfaction. As the League’s power waned, the state government began reversing or weakening some of its progressive policies. Although the NPL remained active, it no longer commanded the same dominance or ability to cross party lines as well. Meanwhile, national political trends, particularly the Republican resurgence, contributed to the movement’s decline as North Dakota’s political landscape shifted away from the reform-driven agenda that had propelled the NPL to power.
Despite these challenges, the NPL continued to be a relevant force throughout the decade, sustained in part by leaders like Lemke and Langer, albeit with differing visions for its future. Lemke championed farmer-friendly policies in Congress, while Langer, though at times estranged from the NPL, embodied its populist spirit in state politics. Though weakened, the League’s foundational ideas—state ownership of essential industries, agricultural protections, and resistance to corporate monopolies—remained influential, setting the stage for its eventual merger with the Democratic Party in the 1940s. While the 1920s saw the NPL transition from a dominant movement to one fighting for survival, its impact on North Dakota’s political and economic policies endured.
By the 1930s, internal divisions, accusations of corruption, and shifting political dynamics weakened the NPL’s influence. Some members aligned with the Republican Party, while others gravitated toward the Democrats splitting the once cohesive group that worked themselves to split the major parties vote. This infighting trickled into both major parties and resulted in North Dakota having 4 Governors between June 1934 and February 1935. Finally among everything else, the Great Depression also contributed to political realignment, as economic concerns took precedence over party loyalty.
In 1944, the NPL formally merged with the North Dakota Democratic Party, forming today’s North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. This merger marked the end of the NPL as an independent entity but ensured that its progressive policies remained a significant part of the state’s political landscape. While the NPL no longer existed in name, its influence persisted in shaping North Dakota’s economic and social policies.
Despite its decline, the NPL left an enduring legacy. The Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill and Elevator remain testaments to its vision, proving the viability of state-owned enterprises. Elements of the NPL’s populism still influence North Dakota politics, particularly in debates over government intervention in the economy and rural policy. Though North Dakota has since become a Republican stronghold, the NPL’s impact on economic policies, state infrastructure, and populist elements remains evident.
The Nonpartisan League revolutionized North Dakota politics by demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing and state intervention in protecting citizens from corporate exploitation. Its legacy is visible in the institutions it built and the policies it inspired, many of which continue to serve the state today. Understanding the NPL’s history offers valuable insight into the broader struggle between populism and economic power in America, reminding us that political movements driven by economic necessity can leave lasting change.
