The Oxford Handbook of Southern Politics

Abstract

The unique political history of the Southern United States is rooted in the fact that it is the only region to have ever taken up arms against the national government. While the resources of the North prevailed after the four bloody years of the Civil War, the consequences of the practice of slavery and the bitter loss experienced by the South continue to shape southern politics a century and a half later. The twenty-three articles included in this book present the factors that contribute to this region's distinctive politics, examining these in the context of the South's political development since World War II. Following an introductory article, five articles survey the past seventy-five years of the region's political history, looking in particular at the Civil Rights Movement, urbanization of the South, and the area's economy and changing demographics. Four articles then take a closer look at the influence of particular demographics, including religious conservatives, women, and Latinos. This is followed by articles on the rise of the Republican Party, southern political attitudes, and political and economic development in the Southern Black Belt. Subsequent articles examine political parties, voting and elections, including party organizations and activists, the mainstreaming of the Republican Party, realignment, party building, and Deep South politics.