The term "Dixiecrat" refers to a faction of the Democratic Party that emerged in the southern United States during the 1948 presidential election. This group was formed in response to the national party's increasing support for civil rights, which many southern Democrats opposed. The Dixiecrats aimed to preserve Jim Crow laws and maintain segregation. Led by Strom Thurmond, the Dixiecrats ran their own candidate for president in 1948, advocating for states' rights and a return to traditional southern values. Although their influence waned after the election, the Dixiecrats highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding race and civil rights during that era.