Southern Strategy

Definition

The Southern Strategy was a political strategy employed by Republicans in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It involved appealing to white voters in the southern states through coded language and addressing issues like law and order, crime, and opposition to civil rights legislation.

Related terms

Dog Whistle Politics: A tactic where politicians use coded language or symbols that have a hidden meaning understood by certain groups but not easily recognized by others.

Civil Rights Act of 1964: Legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965: Legislation designed to overcome legal barriers at state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.