Dixiecrats

Question 1

What were they?

Answer 1

• A segregationist political party formed by Southern Democrats in 1948.
• Created in response to President Truman’s support for civil rights (e.g. desegregating the army).
• Officially called the States’ Rights Democratic Party, but known as Dixiecrats.

Question 2

What did they believe?

Answer 2

• Wanted to preserve segregation and white supremacy in the South.
• Opposed federal interference in Southern “states’ rights,” especially on race.
• Strongly resisted desegregation and voting rights for Black Americans.

Question 3

Legacy?

Answer 3

Though the party faded after 1948, many Dixiecrats stayed in power as Southern Democrats who blocked civil rights laws in Congress.
• Helped lead to the “Southern Strategy” later used by Republicans to gain Southern support.
• Their resistance delayed progress on civil rights for years

Question 4

Why are they important??

Answer 4

Represented powerful political resistance to civil rights.
✅ Showed that even within the Democratic Party, there were deep divisions on race.
✅ Highlighted how racism was protected by political institutions, not just extremist groups like the KKK.