511. America in '68: George Wallace, The First Donald Trump (Part 4)

In this episode of The Rest Is History, we explore the life and 1968 presidential campaign of George Wallace, a segregationist who shifted from the Democratic Party to run as an independent. Hailing from Alabama, Wallace tapped into the region's deep-seated racism and populist sentiments, capitalizing on fears surrounding race, crime, and social change to garner a surprising national following. Despite his blatant racism and ties to extremist groups, his message resonated with working-class voters who felt overlooked by the political elite. Although Wallace's campaign did not succeed, it left a lasting mark on American politics, setting the stage for the Southern Strategy that would later elevate the Republican Party to prominence.