Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Social Studies Practice Exam

During the Fifth and Sixth Party Systems, which approximately spanned from the mid-20th century to the present, a significant trend among African American voters was the shift toward the Democratic Party. This change was particularly influenced by a variety of social, political, and economic factors.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s played a pivotal role in this realignment. As the Democratic Party began to embrace civil rights legislation and promote policies aimed at combating racial injustice and segregation, many African Americans began to identify more closely with the party. This was a marked change from the earlier decades when African Americans predominantly supported the Republican Party, which was founded on anti-slavery principles and had been the party of Lincoln.

Additionally, the Democratic administration’s great society programs in the 1960s and the commitment to civil rights helped solidify loyalty among African American voters. As these societal changes unfolded, critical shifts in voting patterns occurred, with African Americans increasingly aligning themselves with Democratic candidates, leading to a long-lasting relationship between the Democratic Party and African American communities.

This historical context underscores the significance of the shift toward the Democratic Party during these party systems for African American voters.