Party Alliance

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Blacks had threatened again and again to become independent voters and abandon the Republican party after Reconstruction. In the early 1930, Walter White wrote that "Black voters would be interested not only in the presidency but also in electing an intelligent and liberal Congress who would consider their welfare."

The shift to almost blanket support of the Democratic Party was slow despite the Republican Party's continued failure to protect the interest of the Black community. Throughout the 1930s more and more Black leaders called for African-Americans to support the Democratic Party. Marcus Garvey stated in 1936: "The Republicanism of America is too cunning, too crafty, to be of real bene�cial use to the Negro. It only uses the Negro for convenience. Its philosophy is poor, its humanity is poorer . . . need(s) a man with the philosophy and humanity of Roosevelt to bridge the great golf between crackerdom and real democracy and therefore should support solidly the democratic standard bearer. . . and send him back to the White House with �ying colors."

The community responded to Garvey's pleas. In 1936 in Chicago, Roosevelt received 49% of the Black vote, in 1840, 52%. Blacks were grateful to Roosevelt's New Deal programs that were perceived as having a dramatic positive impact on unemployment. The President and his wife Eleanor, recognized the importance of the Black vote and openly sought advice from Black leadership and invited Blacks to the White House for social gatherings. Mary McLeod Bethune was an intimate friend with the First Lady. And, remember it s Eleanor Roosevelt who despite warnings �ew with the Tuskegee Airmen to demonstrate her con�dence in these men. President Roosevelt instituted and leaned on his "Black-cabinet" for advise, especially in matters of race. Additionally, the number of Blacks in civil service increased dramatically.

African-American support for Roosevelt did not end racial discrimination. In response people like, A. Philip Randolph openly took a position to bring about change (this time, unlike in the past, there was the vote to back up their pleas). Randolph called for a march in Washington in 1941 to pressure the President to do something speci�c to alleviate discrimination. Executive Order 8802 was issued in 1941 to provide equal employment in the defense industry.

The N.A.A.C.P., now winning many cases involving discrimination, increasingly emphasized the power held in the hands of Black voters (by this time men and women. Women were given the right to vote in 1920). They celebrated the shift from the Republican Party to the Democrats, reminding candidates that 280 of the electoral college votes were in the 17 states with large Black populations. Warning of the need for the Black votes, especially in close elections.

President Harry S. Truman continued the trend of Roosevelt. He appointed a committee in 1946 to inquire into the status of civil rights and make recommendations. Their report "To Secure These Rights" called for programs to ensure legal equality. In response, the President ordered the desegregation of the armed services, Executive Order 9981, and issued Executive Order 9980 designed to insure fair employment in federal services.

Berry, M. F. (1983). Long Memory: The Black Experience In America. New York: Oxford University Press.