Political Realignment in the South The Significance of States’ Rights and Civil Rights In Shattering the Democrats’ “Solid South” “Solid South”

The Politics of the Old South The pre-Civil War period and Slavery South-North Polarization The post-Reconstruction South: Democratic Dominance Racism of Southern Democratic Party Racism of Southern Democratic Party Voting Restrictions and Corrupt Elections Voting Restrictions and Corrupt Elections

The “Solid Democratic South” V.O. Key Southern Politics In State and Nation (1949) FDR and the New Deal The Democratic Party: States’ Rights/Civil Rights Dispute 1948 Election: “out of the shadow of states’ rights”…?

1948 Revolt Dixiecrat (States’ Rights) Party Thurmond-Wright ticket Deep South Loyalty: MS 87%, AL 80%, SC 72%, LA 49% Effect of ’48: Three trends in Presidential Voting 1952 Revival: Stevenson-Sparkman

Democrats and Civil Rights The National Party embraces Civil Rights movement 1950s and 1960s Kennedy administration and King President Lyndon Baines Johnson: “Champion for Federal Desegregation”

1964 The Civil Rights Act Barry Goldwater and States’ Rights Southern Response: MS, AL, SC, LA, GA vote Republican “Solid South” broken over Race issues

Party identification in the South, All southerners Democrats Democrats Independents Independents Republicans Republicans Whites only Democrats Democrats Independents Independents Republicans Republicans Party identification

1968 Southern Revolt against Great Society Wallace and the American Independent Party Humphrey 31% of Southern Vote

The South after 1968 Since 1972, South voted for Republicans in most Presidential elections 1976 Election Clinton-Gore 1992 and 1996 “Split-level Realignment” Kevin Phillips (1969)

The Current Southern Electorate Democratic Party limited to some local successes Dealignment: Elections Realignment: Elections Racial Divide in Presidential Voting Democrats’ “Solid South” is now Republicans’ “Key to Victory”