dixiecrat party: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Political, Academic
Quick answer
What does “dixiecrat party” mean?
A now-defunct political party formed in the United States in 1948.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A now-defunct political party formed in the United States in 1948.
A faction of conservative Southern Democrats who broke away from the national Democratic Party in 1948 over the issue of civil rights, officially known as the States' Rights Democratic Party. The term is now used more broadly to describe conservative white Southern Democrats of the mid-20th century who opposed desegregation and federal civil rights laws.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Not used in British political contexts. Exclusively a term for American political history.
Connotations
In American usage, it carries strong historical and racial connotations related to segregation. British speakers would likely only encounter it in academic or historical discussions of US politics.
Frequency
Virtually non-existent in British English. Low frequency in American English, primarily found in historical, political science, or civil rights discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “dixiecrat party” in a Sentence
The Dixiecrat Party (verb: was formed | split from | nominated | opposed)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dixiecrat party” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Historians discuss how Southern conservatives **Dixiecratted** in 1948.
- The faction was **Dixiecrattling** against the national party's platform.
American English
- Disgruntled Southern Democrats **Dixiecratted** and held their own convention.
- They threatened to **Dixiecrat** if the civil rights plank passed.
adverb
British English
- [Not a standard adverbial form]
American English
- [Not a standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The **Dixiecrat** ideology was rooted in states' rights arguments.
- He came from a **Dixiecrat** background before switching parties.
American English
- The **Dixiecrat** movement faded after the 1948 election.
- She studied her grandfather's **Dixiecrat** political memorabilia.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in history and political science to discuss mid-20th century US politics, the Solid South, and the realignment of political parties.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation. Might appear in documentaries or historical discussions.
Technical
A specific term in US political history denoting the 1948 segregationist breakaway party.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dixiecrat party”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dixiecrat party”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dixiecrat party”
- Misspelling as 'Dixie-crat' (hyphenated) or 'Dixiecrats Party'.
- Using it as a general term for any modern conservative.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was not successful in winning the presidency, but it did carry four states in the 1948 election (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina) and demonstrated the depth of Southern opposition to civil rights.
It dissolved after the 1948 election. Many of its members and voters eventually drifted to the Republican Party in the following decades, a process known as the 'Southern Strategy.'
Yes, but primarily as a historical term or as a political label to criticize conservative Democrats, especially in the South, by linking them to the party's segregationist past.
A Dixiecrat was a specific type of Southern Democrat in the mid-20th century who prioritized segregation and states' rights over the national Democratic Party's platform. The term distinguishes them from the mainstream, often more liberal, Democrats of that era.
A now-defunct political party formed in the United States in 1948.
Dixiecrat party is usually historical, political, academic in register.
Dixiecrat party: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪk.si.kræt ˈpɑː.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪk.si.kræt ˈpɑːr.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dixie' (the South) + 'crat' (from Democrat) = Southern Democrats who formed their own party.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRANCH that broke off from the main tree (Democratic Party) but later withered.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary political issue that led to the formation of the Dixiecrat Party?