The Southern Strategy

The Southern Strategy was a political approach used primarily by the Republican Party in the mid-20th century to gain support in the Southern United States. It involved appealing to conservative voters’ preferences on issues like states’ rights and resistance to racial integration, especially as the Civil Rights Movement advanced. By emphasizing these issues, Republicans aimed to attract white voters who previously aligned with Democrats, shifting the political landscape in the South. This strategy significantly contributed to the realignment of political parties and voter bases in the U.S., particularly from the 1960s onward.