How Did George Wallace Contribute To The Civil Rights Movement
George Wallace defended segregation as a prominent Alabama governor throughout the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He promoted white racial solidarity as well as less government intervention in state matters. His popularity was not limited to the South; Wallace gained opposition to civil rights in Northern states such as Illinois and Michigan. Wallace ran unsuccessful presidential campaigns in the 60s, however, his approach turned the tides of southern politics towards Republicans. His platforms provoked hostility and hatred toward a race living off the white people. He also campaigned against the government’s involvement in the world, as well in each state. These heated campaigns eventually led to the use of coded language,
which politicians used for years to come. With the advances in Civil Rights in the late 1960s, however, Wallace compromised with the black race. “And once blacks voted in substantial numbers, white politicians-even notorious racists like George Wallace and Strom Thurmond, both of whom certainly knew how to count votes-learned to moderate their policies, address at least some black concerns, and hire black assistants.” (Boles 559)
which politicians used for years to come. With the advances in Civil Rights in the late 1960s, however, Wallace compromised with the black race. “And once blacks voted in substantial numbers, white politicians-even notorious racists like George Wallace and Strom Thurmond, both of whom certainly knew how to count votes-learned to moderate their policies, address at least some black concerns, and hire black assistants.” (Boles 559)