Historical Influence of Racism and White Supremacy on U.S. Political Parties- GOP and Democratic Party

Being a Hispanic (cisgender) male I've always felt like being involved in politics was important, because I felt we were so under represented as a community (Latino's as a whole). I heard a lot of people saying "I don't vote, because they don't care about us" or "those white people that get elected don't care about us". This bothered me because I thought we as a community could band together and change that. But, I often stood alone.

I wondered why so many people who complain about this would do nothing to change those politics. So, I decided to do my own research to see why so many ethnic people chose to not vote or to not be involved with politics at all. Historical influence of racism and white supremacy has existed and thrived on U.S. both political parties the GOP (Republicans) and Democratic (Dems) Party.

The political landscape of the United States has been profoundly shaped by issues of race and white supremacy. Both the Republican (GOP) and Democratic Parties have had complex and evolving relationships with these issues throughout their histories. This report provides an extensive analysis of how racism and white supremacy have influenced the GOP and Democratic Party from their inception to the present day.

Part I: The Republican Party (GOP)

1. Founding and Early Years (1854-1900)

Formation and Abolitionism

• Founding: The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists and modernizers who opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed the potential expansion of slavery into new territories.
• Abraham Lincoln: The first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, led the Union during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory free.

Reconstruction Era

• Reconstruction Amendments: The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., and the 15th Amendment (1870) aimed to protect the voting rights of African American men.
• Republican Dominance in the South: During Reconstruction, Republicans held significant power in the South, with many African Americans elected to public office. However, this period was marked by violent resistance from white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

End of Reconstruction

• Compromise of 1877: The contested 1876 presidential election led to the Compromise of 1877, where Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South in exchange for Rutherford B. Hayes becoming president. This effectively ended Reconstruction and led to the establishment of Jim Crow laws.

2. Early 20th Century (1900-1960)

Decline of Black Republicanism

• Great Migration: African Americans moved in large numbers from the rural South to urban centers in the North, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping Jim Crow laws.
• Shift in Allegiance: As African Americans moved North, they began to shift their political allegiance to the Democratic Party, especially as Democrats started to advocate more for civil rights under leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt.

3. Civil Rights Movement and the Southern Strategy (1960s-1980s)

Civil Rights Legislation

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965: Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson signed these landmark civil rights laws, which aimed to end segregation and protect voting rights. This led to a significant political realignment, with many white Southern Democrats (Dixiecrats) switching to the GOP.

Southern Strategy

• Nixon’s Strategy: Richard Nixon’s campaign and subsequent presidency used the Southern Strategy to appeal to disaffected white voters in the South by opposing desegregation busing and portraying Democrats as the party of civil rights.
• Subtle Racial Appeals: The strategy used coded language (dog-whistle politics) to address white voters' racial anxieties without overtly racist rhetoric.

4. Reagan Era (1980s)

Ronald Reagan’s Presidency

• Rhetoric and Policies: Reagan's campaign emphasized states' rights, a term historically associated with opposition to federal civil rights measures. His opposition to affirmative action and welfare programs was seen by many as racially motivated.
• Symbolic Gestures: Reagan launched his 1980 presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, near the site of the murder of three civil rights workers, signaling to some his tacit support for the segregationist sentiment.

Willie Horton Ad

• 1988 Presidential Campaign: The GOP used a controversial ad featuring Willie Horton, an African American convicted felon, to attack Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis. The ad played on racial fears and was widely criticized as racist.

5. Early 21st Century (2000-2010)

Post-9/11 Era

• Xenophobia: The focus on terrorism post-9/11 led to a rise in xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment. The GOP, under leaders like George W. Bush, framed many security policies around these fears.
• Immigration: Issues of illegal immigration became prominent, with the GOP increasingly adopting hardline stances on border security and immigration reform, often employing racially charged language.

Barack Obama’s Presidency

• Racial Backlash: The election of the first African American president, Barack Obama, saw a resurgence of racial tensions. The Tea Party movement emerged, largely in opposition to Obama's policies, often using racially charged rhetoric.
• Birther Movement: Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans questioned Obama's birthplace and legitimacy, a movement widely seen as racially motivated.

6. Trump Era (2016-Present)

2016 Campaign and Presidency

• Explicit Rhetoric: Donald Trump's campaign utilized explicitly racist and xenophobic language, targeting immigrants, Muslims, and other minority groups. His slogan "Make America Great Again" was interpreted by many as a call to return to a time of greater racial homogeneity.
• Charlottesville: Trump’s response to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he stated there were "very fine people on both sides," drew widespread condemnation and highlighted the GOP's struggles with addressing white supremacy.
• Policy Decisions: Trump's policies, such as the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and the separation of immigrant families at the border, were seen as racially and ethnically discriminatory.

Key Figures and Events

• Barry Goldwater: His 1964 presidential campaign marked a shift toward conservative and states' rights rhetoric, laying groundwork for the Southern Strategy.
• George Wallace: Though a Democrat, his segregationist stance influenced the GOP’s appeal to Southern white voters.
• Lee Atwater: Political strategist who openly discussed the use of racially charged language in politics, emphasizing coded language to appeal to racist sentiments.
• Tea Party Movement: Emerged in 2009, characterized by opposition to Obama's policies and often using racially charged rhetoric.
• Steve King: A GOP congressman known for his overtly racist comments, reflecting the ongoing presence of white supremacist sentiments within the party.

Part II: The Democratic Party

1. Early Years and Antebellum Period (1828-1860)

Formation and Early Ideology

• Founding: The Democratic Party was founded in 1828, with Andrew Jackson as its first president. It was initially characterized by its support for agrarian interests, states' rights, and a limited federal government.
• Pro-Slavery Stance: In the antebellum period, the Democratic Party was the party of the Southern slaveholders and strongly supported the institution of slavery. The party opposed any efforts to abolish slavery or restrict its expansion into new territories.

2. Civil War and Reconstruction (1860-1877)

Civil War

• Division: The Democratic Party was divided over the issue of slavery, with Northern Democrats often opposing the abolitionist policies of the Republican Party, while Southern Democrats staunchly defended slavery.
• Confederacy Support: Many Southern Democrats supported secession and the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Reconstruction

• Opposition to Reconstruction: After the Civil War, the Democratic Party opposed the Reconstruction policies of the Republican Party, which aimed to extend civil rights and suffrage to formerly enslaved people.
• Rise of Jim Crow: Southern Democrats, known as "Redeemers," worked to dismantle Reconstruction efforts and restore white supremacy in the South through the implementation of Jim Crow laws.

3. Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries (1877-1940)

Segregation and Disenfranchisement

• Jim Crow Laws: Southern Democrats were instrumental in establishing and enforcing Jim Crow laws, which mandated racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans.
• Lynching and Violence: During this period, Southern Democrats often turned a blind eye to or even supported lynching and other forms of racial violence to maintain white supremacy.

Progressive Era

• Racial Progressivism: While some Northern Democrats supported progressive reforms, the party as a whole was slow to address issues of racial inequality. Progressive leaders like Woodrow Wilson held segregationist views and implemented racist policies.

4. New Deal Coalition and Civil Rights (1940-1960)

New Deal Coalition

• Franklin D. Roosevelt: FDR’s New Deal coalition included a diverse array of constituencies, including African Americans, urban workers, and Southern whites. However, to maintain the support of Southern Democrats, New Deal programs often excluded or marginalized African Americans.
• Shift in African American Support: Despite these shortcomings, many African Americans began to shift their support to the Democratic Party during the New Deal era due to the economic relief provided.

Civil Rights Movement

• Civil Rights Advocates: By the mid-20th century, Northern Democrats increasingly supported civil rights. Leaders like Hubert Humphrey and Eleanor Roosevelt were vocal advocates for racial equality.
• Southern Resistance: Southern Democrats, known as Dixiecrats, vehemently opposed civil rights legislation and maintained segregationist policies.

5. Civil Rights Era and Realignment (1960s-1980s)

Civil Rights Legislation

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965: Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson signed these landmark civil rights laws, which aimed to end segregation and protect voting rights. This led to a significant political realignment.
• Dixiecrat Defection: Many white Southern Democrats (Dixiecrats) left the party in response to its support for civil rights, eventually aligning with the Republican Party.

Great Society

• War on Poverty: Johnson’s Great Society programs aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. These initiatives included Medicare, Medicaid, and education funding, which disproportionately benefited African Americans and other minorities.

6. Late 20th Century to Present (1980-Present)

Democratic Leadership Council (DLC)

• Centrist Shift: In the 1980s and 1990s, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) pushed the party towards the center, emphasizing economic policies and often downplaying racial issues to appeal to a broader electorate.
• Bill Clinton: Clinton’s presidency reflected this centrist approach, with policies like welfare reform and crime bills that had complex impacts on African American communities.

Modern Era

• Barack Obama: The election of Barack Obama, the first African American president, marked a significant milestone for the Democratic Party. Obama’s presidency focused on healthcare reform, economic recovery, and addressing systemic racism.
• Progressive Wing: The modern Democratic Party includes a strong progressive wing that advocates for racial justice, police reform, and addressing systemic inequalities. Leaders like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren push for policies aimed at reducing racial disparities.
• Black Lives Matter: The party has increasingly aligned with movements like Black Lives Matter, advocating for police reform and addressing systemic racism.

Key Figures and Events

• Andrew Jackson: The first Democratic president, known for his support of slavery and policies like the Indian Removal Act.
• Woodrow Wilson: Progressive-era president with segregationist policies.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt: New Deal president whose policies began to attract African American support.
• Lyndon B. Johnson: President who signed landmark civil rights legislation.
• Dixiecrats: Southern Democrats who opposed civil rights and eventually left the party.
• Barack Obama: First African American president, symbolizing significant progress in the party’s stance on race.

Both the Republican and Democratic Parties have complex and evolving histories with regard to racism and white supremacy. The GOP, originally founded on an anti-slavery platform, has undergone significant transformations, particularly in response to civil rights movements and demographic shifts, often utilizing strategies and rhetoric that reflected broader societal tensions over race. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party transitioned from a pro-slavery and segregationist party to one that champions civil rights and racial equality, largely due to the efforts of civil rights leaders and shifting political dynamics.

This extensive report provides a historical context for understanding the roles that racism and white supremacy have played in shaping the GOP and the Democratic Party. The evolution of both parties reflects broader societal changes and ongoing struggles over race and identity in America. Further research into specific periods, events, and figures can provide deeper insights into these complex and multifaceted histories.

After compiling all this historical information it's become easy to see why so many ethnic groups chose to not vote and stay out of politics. We live in a country that says one thing on paper in the constitution, but our actions are the opposite of that. The land of the free and the pursuit of happiness was only meant for white males not any of us ethnic groups. I can see why them giving up power just isn't in the cards. I hope this can be changed. The only way it can is if we all vote and make this a true democracy.