A report on Southern strategy
Republican Party electoral strategy to increase political support among white voters in the South by appealing to racism against African Americans.
- Southern strategy19 related topics with Alpha
Southern United States
7 linksGeographic and cultural region of the United States of America.
Geographic and cultural region of the United States of America.
National Republicans such as Richard Nixon began to develop their Southern strategy to attract conservative white Southerners, especially the middle class and suburban voters, in addition to migrants from the North and traditional GOP pockets in Appalachia.
Republican Party (United States)
4 linksOne of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.
One of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.
Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the party's core base shifted, with southern states becoming more reliably Republican in presidential politics.
Democratic Party (United States)
4 linksOne of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.
One of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.
Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the core bases of the two parties shifted, with the Southern states becoming more reliably Republican in presidential politics and the Northeastern states becoming more reliably Democratic.
Political realignment
2 linksSet of sharp changes in party ideology, issues, party leaders, regional and demographic bases of power of political parties, and the structure or rules of the political system, such as voter eligibility or financing.
Set of sharp changes in party ideology, issues, party leaders, regional and demographic bases of power of political parties, and the structure or rules of the political system, such as voter eligibility or financing.
The 1968 election is often cited due to the innovative campaign strategy of Nixon. In running against Hubert Humphrey, he used what became known as the Southern strategy. He appealed to white voters in the South with a call for "states' rights", which they interpreted as meaning that the federal government would no longer demand the forced busing of school children as ordered by federal courts. Democrats protested that Nixon exploited racial fears in winning the support of white southerners and northern white ethnics. Roosevelt's New Deal coalition had lasted over 30 years but after the urban riots and Vietnam crisis of the mid 1960s one by one the coalition partners peeled away until only a hollow core remained, setting the stage for a GOP revival. Nixon's downfall postponed the realignment which came about under Reagan, as even the term "liberalism" fell into disrepute.
Richard Nixon
5 linksThe 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974.
The 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974.
Through his first term, he pursued a Southern Strategy with policies, such as his desegregation plans, that would be broadly acceptable among Southern whites, encouraging them to realign with the Republicans in the aftermath of the civil rights movement.
1968 United States presidential election
4 linksThe 46th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1968.
The 46th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1968.
Nixon developed a "Southern strategy" that was designed to appeal to conservative white southerners, who had traditionally voted Democratic, but were opposed to Johnson and Humphrey's support for the civil rights movement, as well as the rioting that had broken out in the ghettos of most large cities.
Strom Thurmond
4 linksAmerican politician, military officer, and attorney who represented South Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954 to 2003.
American politician, military officer, and attorney who represented South Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954 to 2003.
It has been argued that Thurmond's backing of Nixon in the 1968 election served as the basis for the Southern strategy, with former Thurmond aide Lee Atwater admitting that the race served as the "blueprint for everything" he did in subsequent elections.
Barry Goldwater
2 linksAmerican politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for president of the United States in 1964.
American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for president of the United States in 1964.
All this appealed to white Southern Democrats, and Goldwater was the first Republican to win the electoral votes of all of the Deep South states (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) since Reconstruction.
Lee Atwater
1 linksAmerican political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party.
American political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party.
Atwater aroused controversy through his aggressive campaign tactics, especially the Southern strategy.
Barry Goldwater 1964 presidential campaign
0 linksThe 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater began when United States Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona elected to seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States to challenge incumbent Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater began when United States Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona elected to seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States to challenge incumbent Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The group also laid the foundation for the Southern strategy by essentially creating the Republican parties of the Deep South and overthrowing the Democratic patronage system.