George Wallace was, as historian Dan Carter put it, “the most influential loser in American history”. He was the governor of Alabama and lost multiple bids for president of the United States. In the process, he spread his racist views throughout the country.
Wallace is a vitally important figure in American history. His success in pulling in votes from racists attracted the attention of establishment politicians. He showed men like Richard Nixon that there was a significant voting bloc out there willing to vote based just on their fears about race.
In this episode, Chris speaks with historian and author Dan T. Carter about his book The Politics of Rage.
A Brief Biography of George Wallace (AI generated)
George Corley Wallace (1919–1998) was a prominent American politician who served as the Governor of Alabama for four non-consecutive terms and became a national figure due to his staunch opposition to racial integration during the Civil Rights Movement. Born in Clio, Alabama, Wallace earned a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he entered politics, serving as an assistant attorney general and later as a judge in the Third Judicial Circuit of Alabama. His early political career was marked by a moderate stance on civil rights, but he shifted to a more segregationist position in the late 1950s, particularly after losing the 1958 gubernatorial race to a candidate endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan.
George Wallace turned to racism to win the election
Wallace was first elected governor in 1962 on a platform emphasizing segregation and states’ rights. His inaugural address included the infamous line, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever,” which became emblematic of his resistance to the Civil Rights Movement. In June 1963, he attempted to block the enrollment of Black students at the University of Alabama, an act that led to a confrontation with federal authorities and highlighted the deep divisions over racial integration in the South.
George Wallace ran for president
In 1968, Wallace ran for president as the candidate of the American Independent Party, advocating for segregation and appealing to white working-class voters disillusioned with the federal government’s civil rights policies. He won five Southern states and received nearly 10 million votes nationwide, demonstrating the significant support for his segregationist platform. Although he did not win the presidency, his campaign underscored the potency of racial and populist appeals in American politics.
Arthur Bremer’s assassination attempt on George Wallace
Wallace made another bid for the presidency in 1972 as a Democrat. During a campaign rally in Laurel, Maryland, he was shot by Arthur Bremer, leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his injuries, Wallace continued his campaign but was ultimately unsuccessful. The assassination attempt marked a turning point in his political career, leading him to reconsider his earlier positions on race and civil rights.
George Wallace repented for his racism
In the 1980s, Wallace sought redemption for his past segregationist views. He publicly apologized to Black leaders and worked to build relationships with African American communities. In 1982, he was elected governor for a fourth term, this time with significant support from Black voters. During this term, he focused on improving education, healthcare, and economic development in Alabama, and appointed more African Americans to state positions than any previous governor.
Wallace retired from politics in 1987 due to health issues and died in 1998 at the age of 79. His legacy is complex, reflecting both his early role as a symbol of segregation and his later efforts toward reconciliation and progress. While his initial opposition to civil rights left a lasting impact on the South, his later attempts at redemption and the support he received from African American communities in his final years illustrate the potential for personal and political transformation.
Sources:
- The Politics of Rage by Dan T. Carter
- National Park Service article about the 16th Street Baptist Church
- Curtis LeMary’s announcement speech
- History.com article about George Wallace being shot
- Nixon Library audio tapes collection
- Nixon talking about Wallace on tape
- Rolling Stone magazine, October 24, 1974, “The Ministry of George Wallace” by Joe Klein.
Questions:
- Had you heard of George Wallace before?
- Why was Wallace important?
- How did Wallace’s moderate successes change politics in his era?
- One prominent person speaking negatively about another race can significantly impact public opinion. How could his bloviating give permission to white people in the north to be openly racist?
