split in the party south Carolina state history answers
The Split in the Party was a political event that took place in South Carolina during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was a significant moment in the state's history and had long-lasting effects on its politics and racial dynamics.
1. What was the Split in the Party?
The Split in the Party refers to the division that occurred within the Democratic Party of South Carolina in the years following World War II. The split arose primarily due to racial issues, specifically the party's stance on civil rights and desegregation.
2. What caused the Split in the Party?
The primary cause of the Split in the Party was the increasing tension surrounding civil rights and the issue of segregation in South Carolina. As the national Democratic Party became more supportive of desegregation and civil rights reforms, a faction within the state party emerged that opposed these changes and sought to maintain white supremacy and segregation.
3. Who were the key figures in the Split in the Party?
The key figures in the Split in the Party were Governor Strom Thurmond and Senator Olin D. Johnston. Thurmond, a longtime segregationist, led the faction that opposed civil rights and pushed for maintaining segregation. Johnston, on the other hand, represented a more moderate faction that supported civil rights reforms, although he was also cautious about upsetting the state's racial order.
4. What were the consequences of the Split in the Party?
The Split in the Party had several consequences for South Carolina's politics and racial dynamics. One immediate consequence was the formation of the State's Rights Democratic Party, also known as the Dixiecrats, which nominated Thurmond as their presidential candidate in the 1948 election as a protest against the national Democratic Party's support for civil rights. This marked a significant shift in the state's political landscape, with the Dixiecrats winning several electoral votes in South Carolina.
Long term, the Split in the Party solidified the coalition of conservative white voters in South Carolina who strongly opposed racial integration and civil rights reforms. This coalition would largely dominate the state's politics until the latter part of the 20th century. The Split in the Party also highlighted the racial division and resistance to desegregation that continued to shape the state's social and political landscape for years to come.
Overall, the Split in the Party was a pivotal moment in South Carolina's history as it revealed the deep-seated racial tensions and set the stage for the state's political landscape for decades to come.