From 1876 through 1964, Arkansas voted for the Democratic Party candidate for the president of the United States. Why did Arkansas begin to vote for Republican Party candidates in the 1960s? Did this reflect a shift in the beliefs of political parties or the beliefs of most voters?
The shift in Arkansas voting for Republican Party candidates in the 1960s can be attributed to several factors, including a change in the beliefs of political parties and the beliefs of most voters.
One significant factor was the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on Southern states, including Arkansas. Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination. However, this act was viewed unfavorably by many white Southern Democrats who opposed desegregation efforts. This led to a division within the Democratic Party, known as the Dixiecrat split, with some white Southern Democrats defecting to the Republican Party.
Additionally, Republican candidates, such as Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election, adopted a more conservative and states' rights-oriented stance that appealed to many white voters in Arkansas. Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act, which resonated with those who felt the federal government was encroaching on states' rights. His conservative messaging attracted conservative Democrats who were resistant to the social and political changes associated with the Civil Rights Movement.
Furthermore, Richard Nixon's "Southern Strategy" in the late 1960s further solidified Republican gains in Arkansas. Nixon sought to appeal to disaffected Southern whites by utilizing racially coded language and emphasizing law and order issues. This strategy effectively switched many conservative Democrats to vote for Republican candidates.
It is important to note that while these factors contributed to Arkansas shifting towards the Republican Party, it does not mean that all voters in the state changed their beliefs. The change in voting patterns reflected a shift in the political landscape and strategies employed by the parties, as well as a response to the Civil Rights Movement, rather than a change in the beliefs of most voters. Many conservative voters simply aligned themselves with a party that accommodated their ideological preferences and opposed the federal government's intervention in racial matters.