DIXIECRATS Meaning and
Definition
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Dixiecrats refers to a political faction or movement within the Democratic Party that existed primarily in the southern states of the United States during the mid-20th century. The term "dixiecrats" is a portmanteau of "Dixie," a nickname for the southern states, and "Democrats," indicating their affiliation with the Democratic Party.
The Dixiecrats were characterized by their conservative views, particularly on matters related to racial segregation and states' rights. They staunchly opposed civil rights advancements and aimed to maintain the status quo of racial segregation in the South. The movement reached its peak in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The main catalyst for the formation of the Dixiecrats was the Democratic Party's growing support for civil rights initiatives, most notably under President Harry S. Truman. These policies were vehemently opposed by the Dixiecrats, who saw them as an intrusion on state sovereignty and a threat to their way of life.
The Dixiecrats' most prominent leader was Strom Thurmond, a United States Senator from South Carolina, who ran as a third-party presidential candidate in 1948 under the banner of the States' Rights Democratic Party. Thurmond's candidacy aimed to rally southern white voters who opposed desegregation. Although Thurmond did not win the presidency, his campaign highlighted the deep divide within the Democratic Party on issues of race and set the stage for political realignments in the South in subsequent decades.
Overall, the term "dixiecrats" refers to a faction within the Democratic Party that emerged in response to the party's shift towards civil rights and championed conservative, segregationist views.
Common Misspellings for DIXIECRATS
- sixiecrats
- xixiecrats
- cixiecrats
- fixiecrats
- rixiecrats
- eixiecrats
- duxiecrats
- djxiecrats
- dkxiecrats
- doxiecrats
- d9xiecrats
- d8xiecrats
- diziecrats
- diciecrats
- didiecrats
- dixuecrats
- dixjecrats
- dixkecrats
- dixoecrats
Etymology of DIXIECRATS
The term "Dixiecrats" is a blend of the words "Dixie" and "Democrats". Its etymology can be traced back to the United States in the mid-20th century. "Dixie" refers to the Southern states, particularly those that were part of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. The term originally emerged in the 19th century, sometime after the publication of the song "Dixie" in 1859, which became an unofficial anthem for the South.
Meanwhile, "Democrats" refers to the political party known as the Democratic Party, which has existed since the early 19th century. In the context of the term "Dixiecrats", it specifically refers to a faction of the Democratic Party that arose in the 1940s.
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