SOUTHERN POLITICS, MIDTERM EXAM, 2024

Answer any TWO of the following four questions, and answer each part, and in complete sentences, and give specific examples.

1) (Alabama’s George Wallace) How did George Wallace in his early political days show an ability to appeal to average people, in terms of his personal background, his campaign style, his issues, and the groups courted, and explain by giving examples? How did Wallace in his middle political career display racist/segregationist views and actions, and give specific examples? How did Wallace in his later years show his acceptance of an integrated society and also stress economic issues, and give specific examples?

2) (South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond) How did Thurmond before 1964 show an ability to appeal to average voters and also show a progressive nature, and give specific examples? Why did he switch to the Republican Party in 1964, and give specifics that reflect the range of issues that concerned him? When and how did Thurmond (or the state Republican Party) in both time periods show racist views, and be specific? How did Thurmond beginning in 1972 attract voters of all races, and explain thoroughly with specific examples?

3) (The Old South’s segregationist system) What were the 12 ways that white Mississippians maintained their white-ruled segregationist system, according to the lecturer? Be specific, and explain how these factors operated and why they were effective in maintaining this segregationist system? In your answer, give some sense of the historical period of these events (late 1800s, early 1900s, mid-1900s, 1960s, etc.).

4) (Presidential Elections) Why did Democrats win every southern state from 1932 through 1944, and explain fully? How did racial issues hurt the Democrats in three presidential races from 1948 through 1968, and give examples of specific candidates and issues in three elections? Why were Republicans able to win nearly all southern states in the 1980-1988, and 2000-2020 elections, and give specific examples from most elections? How was Bill Clinton able to win four southern states in the two presidential elections of the 1990s, and explain with specific examples?