The term "Dixiecrats" refers to a splinter group of the Democratic Party that emerged in the southern United States during the 1948 presidential election. Formally known as the States' Rights Democratic Party, they opposed the party's increasing support for civil rights and racial integration. Their platform emphasized the preservation of segregation and states' rights. Led by figures like Strom Thurmond, the Dixiecrats aimed to maintain the social and political status quo in the South. Although their influence waned after the 1948 election, the Dixiecrats highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding race and civil rights, foreshadowing future political realignments.