Question

In the 1960s, what issue divided the democratic party coalition causing many southerners to move from the democratic to the republican party?

Answer 1

The civil rights movement and social issues of the 1960s, including differing views on states' rights and social welfare, caused many Southern Democrats to switch to the Republican Party. This culminated during the 1980 presidential election with the 'Reagan Revolution,' which marked a significant realignment in American political affiliations.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 1960s, a significant issue dividing the Democratic Party was the civil rights movement. Many Southern Democrats who had been part of a Democratic alliance with Northern Democrats on economic issues began to dissent from the party's growing support for racial equality and civil rights. This ideological rift concerning social issues like civil rights for African Americans, along with differing views on states' rights and social welfare, led to many Southerners transitioning from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

The shift was significant during the 1980 presidential election, which is often noted for the 'Reagan Revolution,' where Ronald Reagan attracted conservative Democrats with his emphasis on smaller government and greater states' rights. This realignment was further solidified as the evangelical movement gained political influence, steering its constituency toward the Republican Party.

By the 1970s and 80s, this shift had cemented a new political landscape where the North and West favored Democrats, while the Solid South turned Republican, a stark contrast to the post-Civil War allegiances.

Answer 2

The Democratic Party was divided in the 1960s by social issues, especially civil rights, leading many Southern Democrats to join the Republican Party due to shared ideals of states' rights and smaller federal government, culminating in the Reagan Revolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 1960s, the Democratic Party coalition was divided over several social issues, which caused many Southerners to shift from the Democratic to the Republican Party. This shift was initially due to disagreements on the extent of federal authority, particularly regarding economic redistribution and restructuring society. Additionally, the civil rights movement, aiming to remedy racial inequalities, led to further alienation of Southern Democrats who were accustomed to segregationist policies. The realignment became significant with the emergence of the evangelical movement in politics and solidified during the Reagan Revolution in the 1980 presidential election.

One of the focal points of the division was Civil Rights for African Americans. While Northern Democrats increasingly supported civil rights legislation, Southern Democrats often resisted these changes, believing it violated states' rights and traditional social norms. This stance aligned more closely with the Republican Party's position on smaller government and states' rights. As the Republican Party began embracing the small government-states' rights movement, many Southern Democrats found common ground with them, thus completing the transition by the late 20th century.