Political RealignmentPolitical Realignment in the South in the South

The Significance of The Significance of States’ Rights and Civil RightsStates’ Rights and Civil RightsIn Shattering the Democrats’In Shattering the Democrats’

“ “Solid South”Solid South”

The Politics of the Old SouthThe Politics of the Old South

The pre-Civil War period and SlaveryThe pre-Civil War period and Slavery

South-North PolarizationSouth-North Polarization

The post-Reconstruction South:The post-Reconstruction South: Democratic Dominance 1880-1920Democratic Dominance 1880-1920

Racism of Southern Democratic PartyRacism of Southern Democratic Party Voting Restrictions and Corrupt ElectionsVoting Restrictions and Corrupt Elections

The “Solid Democratic South”The “Solid Democratic South”

V.O. KeyV.O. Key

Southern Politics In State and NationSouthern Politics In State and Nation (1949) (1949)

FDR and the New Deal 1932-1944FDR and the New Deal 1932-1944

The Democratic Party: The Democratic Party: States’ Rights/Civil Rights DisputeStates’ Rights/Civil Rights Dispute

1948 Election:1948 Election: “out of the shadow of “out of the shadow of states’ rights”…?states’ rights”…?

1948 Revolt1948 Revolt

Dixiecrat (States’ Rights) PartyDixiecrat (States’ Rights) Party Thurmond-Wright ticketThurmond-Wright ticket

Deep South Loyalty:Deep South Loyalty: MS 87%, AL 80%, SC 72%, LA 49%MS 87%, AL 80%, SC 72%, LA 49%

Effect of ’48:Effect of ’48: Three trends in Presidential Three trends in Presidential Voting Voting

1952 Revival:1952 Revival: Stevenson-Sparkman Stevenson-Sparkman

DemocratsDemocrats andand CivilCivil RightsRights

The National Party embraces Civil The National Party embraces Civil Rights movement 1950s and 1960sRights movement 1950s and 1960s

Kennedy administration and KingKennedy administration and King

President Lyndon Baines Johnson:President Lyndon Baines Johnson: “Champion for Federal Desegregation” “Champion for Federal Desegregation”

19641964

The Civil Rights ActThe Civil Rights Act

Barry Goldwater and States’ RightsBarry Goldwater and States’ Rights

Southern Response:Southern Response: MS, AL, SC, LA, GA vote RepublicanMS, AL, SC, LA, GA vote Republican

““Solid South” broken over Race issuesSolid South” broken over Race issues

Party identification in the South, 1952-1984

All southernersAll southerners Democrats Democrats Independents Independents RepublicansRepublicansWhites onlyWhites only Democrats Democrats Independents Independents RepublicansRepublicans

Party identification 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984Party identification 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984

76 76 14141010

78 78 131399

68 68 115 5 1717

60 60 18 18 2222

68 68 19 19 1313

58 58 31 31 1111

51 51 33 33 1515

52 52 32 32 1616

48 48 32 32 2020

40 40 35 35 2525

61 61 18182121

68 68 16 16 1515

64 64 21 21 1515

50 50 36361414

47 47 35 35 1818

47 47 35 35 1919

43 43 34 34 2323

33 33 38 38 2929

19681968

Southern Revolt against Great SocietySouthern Revolt against Great Society

Wallace and the American Independent Wallace and the American Independent PartyParty

Humphrey 31% of Southern VoteHumphrey 31% of Southern Vote

The South after 1968The South after 1968

Since 1972, South voted for Republicans in Since 1972, South voted for Republicans in most Presidential electionsmost Presidential elections

1976 Election1976 Election

Clinton-Gore 1992 and 1996Clinton-Gore 1992 and 1996

““Split-level Realignment” Split-level Realignment” Kevin Phillips (1969)Kevin Phillips (1969)

The Current Southern ElectorateThe Current Southern Electorate

Democratic Party limited to some local Democratic Party limited to some local successessuccesses

Dealignment: 1952-1964 ElectionsDealignment: 1952-1964 Elections

Realignment: 1968-1980 ElectionsRealignment: 1968-1980 Elections

Racial Divide in Presidential VotingRacial Divide in Presidential Voting

Democrats’ “Solid South” is now Democrats’ “Solid South” is now Republicans’ “Key to Victory” Republicans’ “Key to Victory”