Civics Collection
The New Deal Political Realignment

The Democratic Party

The Democratic Party is the nation’s oldest political party still active today and dominated national politics from 1800 to 1860. While the Civil War ended the party’s dominance nationally, between 1865 and 1932, the Democratic Party reestablished political control in the South. White southerners who opposed the end of slavery, civil rights for southern Blacks, and voting rights for Black men organized to return state governments to Democratic White rule. These “Redeemers” used violence, harassment, and electoral fraud to prevent Black political participation and restored the South to Democratic control by 1877.
A sketch appearing in an 1876 Harper's Weekly magazine.

“Of Course He Wants to Vote the Democratic Ticket,” Harper’s Weekly, October 1876.

The sketch shows a Black man who is next in line to the ballot box. Two white men with casual but threatening stares are on either side of the Black man, both pointing a gun to the Black voter's head. The Black man, who appears scared, is looking at the ballot boxes. Writing at the bottom of the sketch reads, "Of course he wants to vote the Democratic ticket! Democratic reformer. You're as free as air, ain't you? Say you are or I'll blow your black head off!"

Take Notes

In your own words, explain what is happening in this image. What is the artist’s claim? How do you know? Support your answer with evidence from the image.

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