What does the term “solid south” mean?
the South’s long one‑party loyalty to the Democratic Party after Reconstruction, delivering near‑uniform Democratic electoral support across former Confederate states
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| What does the term “solid south” mean? | the South’s long one‑party loyalty to the Democratic Party after Reconstruction, delivering near‑uniform Democratic electoral support across former Confederate states |
| Who wanted to replace the Constitution of 1868? Why? | conservative Democrats and Redeemers sought to replace the Reconstruction‑era 1868 constitution because they viewed it as imposed by Northern Republicans and as legitimizing Republican rule and Black political power |
| Describe the basic characteristics of the Constitution of 1877. | conservative reaction, restoration of white Democratic control, reduced executive/taxing power, legislative dominance, and provisions that supported segregation and limited reforms associated with Reconstruction |
| What was the purpose of the County Unit System? | to allocate primary votes by county in a way that amplified rural (small‑county) influence over urban voters, preserving rural Democratic power in statewide primaries |
| What was Henry Grady’s vision of a New South? | industrialization, diversified agriculture, and northern investment to modernize the Southern economy while maintaining white political leadership |
| How did Grady attempt to attract northern investment? Was it successful? | he used speeches, editorials, and boosterism (national tours and press) to sell Southern opportunities to Northern capital; this attracted some industry and rail investment but results were partial and uneven |
| What obstacles did farmers face in the late nineteenth century? | falling crop prices, overproduction, high debt, exploitative credit and rail rates, and isolation in markets |
| What solutions did they develop? | cooperatives, the Farmers’ Alliance, political organizing, and eventually the Populist platform demanding regulation of railroads, monetary reform, and credit relief |
| Why did some Alliancemen decide to join the People’s Party? | to move from economic protest to electoral politics and push systemic reforms they couldn’t achieve through existing parties |
| Who was Georgia’s most prominent Populist? | Thomas E. Watson, who rose from Alliance leader to national Populist prominence |
| What perceived threat did Populism represent to conservative white Georgians? | Populism threatened Democratic hegemony, elite control, and the racial status quo, prompting elite resistance and efforts to contain the movement |