Southern Strategy

Definition

The Southern Strategy refers to a political strategy employed by the Republican Party in the late 1960s and 1970s to appeal to white voters in the American South by capitalizing on racial tensions and opposition to civil rights reforms. This strategy was a key factor in the realignment of the political parties and the shift of the South from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican-leaning region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Southern Strategy was a deliberate effort by the Republican Party to attract white voters in the South who were disaffected by the Democratic Party's support for civil rights reforms.
2. The strategy involved using coded racial language, such as references to 'law and order' and 'states' rights,' to appeal to white voters who opposed desegregation and other civil rights initiatives.
3. The Southern Strategy was a key factor in the Republican Party's success in the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections, as well as in subsequent elections in the South.
4. The Southern Strategy contributed to the realignment of the political parties, with the Democratic Party becoming more racially diverse and the Republican Party becoming more dominated by white voters, particularly in the South.
5. The legacy of the Southern Strategy continues to shape the political landscape, with issues of race and identity remaining central to many political debates and electoral outcomes.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Southern Strategy was used by the Republican Party to appeal to white voters in the South.
  • The Southern Strategy involved the Republican Party using coded racial language and appeals to white resentment towards civil rights reforms to attract white voters in the South who were disaffected by the Democratic Party's support for desegregation and other civil rights initiatives. This strategy was a deliberate effort to capitalize on racial tensions and shift the political allegiance of white voters in the South away from the Democratic Party and towards the Republican Party. By employing this strategy, the Republican Party was able to achieve significant electoral success in the South, contributing to the realignment of the political parties and the shift of the South from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican-leaning region.
• Analyze how the Southern Strategy contributed to the realignment of the political parties and the shift of the South towards the Republican Party.
  • The Southern Strategy played a key role in the realignment of the political parties, as it allowed the Republican Party to attract a significant number of white voters in the South who were opposed to civil rights reforms and the Democratic Party's support for them. This shift in the political allegiance of white voters in the South, combined with the Democratic Party's increasing emphasis on civil rights and racial equality, contributed to the emergence of a more racially polarized political landscape, with the Republican Party becoming more dominated by white voters and the Democratic Party becoming more racially diverse. The legacy of the Southern Strategy continues to shape the political landscape, with issues of race and identity remaining central to many political debates and electoral outcomes.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Southern Strategy on the political landscape, particularly in the context of partisan polarization and divided government.
  • The Southern Strategy has had a lasting impact on the political landscape, contributing to the partisan polarization and divided government that characterize much of contemporary American politics. By appealing to white resentment and racial anxieties, the Republican Party was able to solidify its hold on the South, which has become a key battleground in many elections. This has led to a more ideologically and racially divided political landscape, with the Republican Party and the Democratic Party increasingly occupying distinct and often antagonistic positions on issues related to race, identity, and social policy. The legacy of the Southern Strategy continues to shape political debates and electoral outcomes, as both parties seek to mobilize their respective bases and appeal to the concerns of different demographic groups. Ultimately, the long-term impact of the Southern Strategy has been to deepen the divisions within American politics, making it increasingly difficult to achieve consensus and compromise on important issues.

Related terms

Racial Resentment: The feeling of anger or antipathy towards other racial groups, often fueled by perceived threats to one's own group's status or resources.

Party Realignment:

The process by which the Democratic and Republican parties change their core constituencies and policy positions, leading to a shift in the political landscape.

Racial Polarization: The division of political opinions and voting behavior along racial lines, with different racial groups supporting different political parties and policies.