Southern Realignment

Definition

Southern realignment refers to the significant shift in political allegiance among voters in the southern United States, particularly from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, starting in the mid-20th century. This change was driven by various social, economic, and cultural factors, marking a transformation in party competition and polarization within American politics as well as influencing broader theories of party realignment. The southern realignment is a critical aspect of contemporary realignment trends, as it reshaped the political landscape and voter demographics across the nation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The southern realignment began in earnest during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, as many white southern voters began to reject the Democratic Party's support for civil rights legislation.
2. This shift saw a major electoral impact, with southern states transitioning from solidly Democratic to becoming strongholds for Republican candidates by the late 20th century.
3. The alignment also involved demographic changes, as urbanization and migration patterns altered voting behaviors and party affiliations in the South.
4. Key elections that showcased this shift include Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign, where he successfully appealed to southern voters with his 'Southern Strategy'.
5. The realignment has led to long-term implications for party competition, with today's political landscape being characterized by a polarized electorate and distinct regional party identities.

Review Questions

• How did social changes during the civil rights movement influence the southern realignment?
  • The civil rights movement significantly influenced southern realignment as it prompted many white southern voters to feel alienated from the Democratic Party, which was increasingly associated with civil rights legislation and integration efforts. This shift led to a re-evaluation of party loyalty among these voters, driving them towards the Republican Party, which was seen as more aligned with their values. As a result, this period marked a pivotal moment in American politics where race relations and party identity became intertwined.
• Analyze how the Republican Southern Strategy played a role in solidifying the southern realignment.
  • The Republican Southern Strategy was instrumental in solidifying the southern realignment by strategically appealing to white voters' concerns regarding race and social issues. By focusing on law and order rhetoric, along with conservative values, Republican candidates like Nixon effectively attracted disenchanted Southern Democrats. This approach capitalized on existing racial tensions and sought to position the GOP as a champion of states' rights and traditional values, further entrenching the shift from Democratic dominance in the region.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of southern realignment on contemporary American political polarization.
  • The long-term effects of southern realignment have profoundly shaped contemporary American political polarization by creating stark regional differences in party identification and voting behavior. The transition of southern states from Democratic strongholds to Republican bastions has contributed to a national divide where cultural issues are often at odds between liberal urban areas and conservative rural regions. This polarization is reflected in increasingly partisan electoral outcomes and heightened tensions within legislative processes, ultimately reshaping not only regional politics but also national discourse.

Related terms

New Deal Coalition: A coalition of various groups that supported the Democratic Party during the 1930s to 1960s, including labor unions, minorities, and southern whites, which began to fracture due to changing political dynamics.

Republican Southern Strategy: A political strategy employed by the Republican Party to gain support among disaffected white voters in the South, particularly by appealing to racial tensions and conservative social values.

Democratic Party: One of the two major political parties in the U.S., historically dominant in the South until the mid-20th century, known for its support of civil rights and social welfare policies that eventually contributed to its decline in that region.