Francois Guizot
French historian, orator and statesman (1787-1874)
Strom Thurmond was a long-serving American politician who represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for nearly 50 years. He was a member of the Democratic Party until 1964 when he switched to the Republican Party. Thurmond was a staunch opponent of civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s, but later moderated his stance on race, though he continued to defend his prior support for segregation.
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About the Strom Thurmond
James Strom Thurmond Sr.was an American politician who represented South Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954 to 2003. Before his 48 years as a senator, he served as the 103rd governor of South Carolina from 1947 to 1951. Thurmond was a member of the Democratic Party until 1964, when he joined the Republican Party. He had earlier run for president in 1948 as the Dixiecrat candidate in opposition to Democrat Harry Truman, receiving over a million votes and winning four states, and endorsed Republican Dwight Eisenhower for president in the 1950s.
A staunch opponent of civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s, Thurmond conducted the longest speaking filibuster ever by a lone senator, at 24 hours and 18 minutes in length, in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. In the 1960s, he voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite his support for racial segregation, Thurmond denied the accusation that he was a racist by insisting he was a supporter of states’ rights and an opponent of excessive federal authority. Thurmond switched parties ahead of the 1964 United States presidential election, saying that the Democratic Party no longer represented people like him, and endorsed Republican nominee Barry Goldwater, who also opposed the Civil Rights Act. By the 1970s, Thurmond started to moderate his stance on race, but continued to defend his prior support for segregation based on states’ rights and Southern society at the time.
As a Republican, Thurmond served three times as President pro tempore of the United States Senate, and chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1981 to 1987 and the Senate Armed Services Committee from 1995 to 1999. He retired in 2003 as the only member of either chamber of Congress to reach the age of 100 while still in office and the oldest-serving senator, and died nearly six months later. His 48 years as a senator, a record at the time, is the fourth-longest in U.S. history behind Robert Byrd, Daniel Inouye, and Patrick Leahy. At 14 years, Thurmond was also the longest-serving Dean of the United States Senate in political history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strom Thurmond served in the U.S. Senate for 48 years, from 1954 to 2003, which was the fourth-longest tenure in U.S. history.
Strom Thurmond was a member of the Democratic Party until 1964, when he switched to the Republican Party.
Strom Thurmond was a staunch opponent of civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s, and he conducted the longest speaking filibuster by a lone senator in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
As a Republican, Strom Thurmond served three times as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate and chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1981 to 1987 and the Senate Armed Services Committee from 1995 to 1999.
Strom Thurmond’s long tenure in the U.S. Senate and his opposition to civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s made him a controversial and influential figure in American politics.
Strom Thurmond retired from the U.S. Senate in 2003 at the age of 100, making him the oldest-serving senator in U.S. history.
Strom Thurmond defended his support for racial segregation by insisting that he was a supporter of states’ rights and an opponent of excessive federal authority.
8 Quotes by Strom Thurmond
- 1.
I don’t think it’s a question of age as much as it’s a question of what kind of shape you’re in.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 2.
It is a matter of common knowledge that the government of South Carolina is under domination of a small ring of cunning, conniving men.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 3.
I am not prejudiced against the Negro. When I was governor, I did more to help the Negroes in our State than any previous Governor, and I think you can find Negro leaders in the State who will attest to this fact.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 4.
She walks well, she looks good. Let’s see how she kisses.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 5.
If I had been elected president in 1948, history would be vastly different. I believe we would have stemmed the growth of Big Government, which had begun with the New Deal and culminated with the Great Society.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 6.
Segregation in the South is honest, open and aboveboard. Of the two systems, or styles of segregation, the Northern and the Southern, there is no doubt whatever in my mind which is the better.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 7.
I fully recognize and appreciate the many substantial contributions of black Americans and other minorities to the creation and preservation and development of our great nation.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)
- 8.
The white people of the South are the greatest minority in this nation. They deserve consideration and understanding instead of the persecution of twisted propaganda.
Strom ThurmondAmerican politician (1902-2003)