WHITE PRIMARY Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "white primary" refers to a discriminatory practice that was prevalent in the United States during the Jim Crow era. A white primary was a primary election held within political parties, where only white people were allowed to participate in the selection of candidates for general elections. This exclusionary system was predominantly established in the southern states with the intention of preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote in the crucial primary stage.
Under the white primary system, political parties in the southern states refused membership to African Americans and established rules that allowed only white voters to participate in the primary elections. Consequently, African Americans were systematically excluded from voicing their preferences and choosing their preferred candidates, thereby denying them the opportunity to have a say in the democratic process.
The white primary was a key tool used by white supremacists to maintain their political dominance and enforce racial segregation in the South. However, it was ultimately declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Smith v. Allwright (1944). This ruling declared that the white primary violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal rights to all citizens regardless of their race.
The abolishment of the white primary was a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for civil rights, as it paved the way for greater inclusion and participation of African Americans in the electoral process.
Common Misspellings for WHITE PRIMARY
- qhite primary
- ahite primary
- shite primary
- ehite primary
- 3hite primary
- 2hite primary
- wgite primary
- wbite primary
- wnite primary
- wjite primary
- wuite primary
- wyite primary
- whute primary
- whjte primary
- whkte primary
- whote primary
- wh9te primary
- wh8te primary
- whire primary
- whife primary
Etymology of WHITE PRIMARY
The term "white primary" is a concept that emerged in the United States during the early 20th century. It refers to a discriminatory electoral practice used primarily in the southern states, where only white voters were allowed to participate in primary elections, effectively excluding African American voters.
The term itself is a combination of two words: "white" and "primary".
- "White" refers to the race-based exclusionary policy that restricted participation in primary elections to only white individuals. This policy was implemented in the South as a way to maintain white political control and prevent African Americans from accessing political power.
- "Primary" refers to the early stage of an election process where political parties select their candidates for the general election. In the United States, primaries are commonly used to determine the party's nominee for various positions, including presidential, congressional, and state-level elections.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
