Information on the origins of the Young Democratic Caucus of Wisconsin is unclear and contradictory. Although not documented within the records of the organization held by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, it is known that there were small, local organizations of young Democrats operating in the state during the 1930's and 1940's. In these years the clubs helped the senior party with election activities and served as a training ground for those individuals interested in politics. Although the YDCW still functions in that way, it has since grown into a state-wide organization that is recognized as a political organization in its own right.
Correspondence contained within the records of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin at the Society indicates that movement in that direction began with the reorganization of the state Democratic Party in the late 1940's and 1950's. The first constitution adopted by the Democratic Organizing Committee recognized the Young Democratic Clubs of Wisconsin as its official youth organization but left the role and purpose of the group unspecified. In many areas of the state the DOC membership was youthful and the organization was new and young people found a role for themselves within the DOC; no special youth arm was necessary. It seems likely that Young Democratic activity at this period was concentrated on college and university campuses in Milwaukee and Dane counties. Certainly individuals from these two counties led in the attempt to put the Young Democrats on a more organized statewide footing. In 1951 several young Democrats met at Wausau in conjunction with the DOC convention. The organization initiated at that meeting was formalized at a convention of Young Democrats at Stevens Point on February 24, 1952, and a provisional constitution was adopted. On May 18 the constitution was adopted by a meeting at Wisconsin Dells.
Despite the establishment of a state-wide framework for young Democrats there continued to be unhappiness about the group on the part of the DOC, although the nature of this dissatisfaction is not specified in the records. It is clear that the senior party saw the youth organization as an important aspect of its attempt to organize and recruit key population groups. Internal squabbling and disagreement on the function and purpose of the group again became prominent during the 1960's when young people became particularly active in the political arena.
In 1973 the organization officially changed its name to the Young Democratic Caucus of Wisconsin.
