AHC: State of Dakota

Your challenge, would you choose to accept it, is to have the Dakota Territory becoming the State of Dakota, instead of splitting into 2 like in OTL. The POD must be no earlier than January 1, 1862.
 
Your challenge, would you choose to accept it, is to have the Dakota Territory becoming the State of Dakota, instead of splitting into 2 like in OTL. The POD must be no earlier than January 1, 1862.

Truth is, it'd be kinda tough to make a truly believable mini-timeline, though if the U.S. from TL-191 could do it, then it isn't anywhere near implausible, either, in my book.

I would suggest a far higher amount of immigration, and perhaps emigration, to these areas as well as a significantly higher amount of land development, and that could be the start of a well-working single Dakota TL. :)
 
My understanding is that Dakota became two states only because the Republicans wanted four senators instead of two from an area that was bound to be strongly Republican. If so, I think Plumber is right. Cleveland - being a Democrat -winning in 1888 will make sure that the Dakotas enter the Union as only one state.
 
Alternatively, Cleveland could have a brain wave and admit them during his Presidency. The Democratic Congress delayed admission for about a decade because they were afraid the states would be Republican strongholds (completely true). Then again, this makes it harder for him to get reelected.
 
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