White Primary

Written by Jonathan Milner

Definition

A primary election, used by Democratic parties in the one-party South, in which only white voters could take part. Because winning the Democratic primary meant winning the office, it shut Black voters out of real choices.

Example

In Smith v. Allwright (1944), the Supreme Court ruled that the white primary violated the Fifteenth Amendment.

 

Questions

  1. Define white primary.

  2. Explain why the white primary was so effective in the one-party South.

  3. Describe the outcome of Smith v. Allwright.

  4. Identify the amendment the white primary violated.

  5. Explain how the white primary was one of several tools used to block Black voting.

  6. Identify two other methods used to keep Black citizens from voting.

  7. Describe how the Voting Rights Act of 1965 built on rulings like Smith v. Allwright.

  8. Explain how the end of the white primary connects to the civil rights movement.

  9. What emoji would do a good job of expressing the concept white primary?

  10. Translate white primary into plain English.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw a white primary! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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