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Historically, both major political parties in the United States have had complicated relationships with race:
Democratic Party: The Democratic Party was historically associated with supporting segregation and white supremacy, especially in the Southern United States. However, since the mid-20th century, the party has shifted towards advocating for civil rights and social justice. source
Republican Party: Historically, the Republican Party was founded in the mid-19th century as an anti-slavery party. However, some historians place the Republican Party's turn to the right as early as 1912, when former President Theodore Roosevelt led a progressive bolt due to the perceived conservatism of incumbent President William H. Taft on a number of economic and social matters. source
Democrats - 19th Century: During the 19th century, the Democratic Party was associated with supporting slavery and opposing civil rights for African Americans. Many Southern Democrats defended slavery and later supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. source
Post-Civil War and Reconstruction: After the Civil War, Democrats in the South implemented Black Codes and later Jim Crow laws to enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise Black voters. The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, had significant support among Southern Democrats. source
Early 20th Century: The Democratic Party continued to support segregation and oppose civil rights legislation. President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, re-segregated federal offices and screened the pro-KKK film “The Birth of a Nation” at the White House. source
Mid-20th Century Shift: The mid-20th century saw a significant shift. The Democratic Party began to embrace civil rights, largely due to the efforts of Northern Democrats and civil rights activists. President Harry Truman desegregated the military in 1948, and the party increasingly supported civil rights legislation. source
Civil Rights Movement: During the 1960s, the Democratic Party played a crucial role in passing major civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This shift led to a realignment of party support, with many African Americans moving to the Democratic Party and many white Southern voters shifting to the Republican Party. source
Modern Era: Today, the Democratic Party generally advocates for policies aimed at addressing racial inequality and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, the party’s historical ties to racism are often highlighted in political debates. source
Republicans - Founding and Early Years: The Republican Party was founded in the 1850s with a strong anti-slavery platform. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, led the country during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. During Reconstruction, the party supported civil rights for freed slaves, and the first Black members of Congress were Republicans. source
Post-Reconstruction Shift: By the late 19th century, the Republican Party began to shift its focus. The Compromise of 1877, which ended Reconstruction, marked the beginning of the party’s retreat from its commitment to Black civil rights. This shift continued into the early 20th century as the party sought to appeal to white voters in the South. source
Mid-20th Century Realignment: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought significant changes. While some Republicans, like Senator Everett Dirksen, supported civil rights legislation, the party also began to attract white voters who were opposed to these changes. This was part of a broader strategy known as the “Southern Strategy,” which aimed to gain political support by appealing to racism against African Americans. source
Modern Era: In recent decades, the Republican Party has continued to face criticism for its handling of racial issues. Policies and rhetoric from some party leaders have been seen as perpetuating racial inequalities. For example, voter ID laws and other voting restrictions have been criticized for disproportionately affecting minority voters. source
Which American political party do you think is the most racist?
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