Stuff You Missed in History Class: SYMHC Classics – George Wallace

Release Date: April 12, 2025
Hosts: Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson
Producer: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this classic episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the life and legacy of George Corley Wallace Jr., a polarizing figure in American politics known for his staunch segregationist stance and multiple campaigns for governor and president. The episode explores Wallace's early life, political rise, opposition to the civil rights movement, personal struggles, and eventual attempts at reconciliation.

Early Life and Political Beginnings

George Wallace was born on August 25, 1919, in southeastern Alabama, where his father was a farmer. Demonstrating an early interest in politics, Wallace served as a government page at the Alabama State Capitol at age 15, laying the foundation for his future political ambitions (04:39). His education journey saw him balancing academics with boxing, where he won two state titles, and pursuing a law degree, which he completed in 1942 (04:39).

In 1942, Wallace met Lurleen Burns, a 16-year-old working at a five-and-dime store. The couple married in 1943 while Wallace was on leave from the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served during World War II but was medically discharged in 1945 due to severe anxiety (05:04).

First Gubernatorial Campaign and Personal Struggles

Wallace began his active political career in 1946 as an assistant to the state attorney general and was elected to the Alabama state legislature in 1947. During his initial campaigns, Lurleen became the family's primary breadwinner, highlighting the personal toll of Wallace's political dedication (06:17).

In 1958, Wallace made his first attempt to become governor of Alabama. Running against pro-segregation candidate John Patterson, Wallace initially enjoyed support from progressive figures like the NAACP. However, he lost the Democratic primary to Patterson, who was backed by the Ku Klux Klan. This defeat marked a turning point, compelling Wallace to adopt a more explicitly pro-segregation platform in future campaigns (09:14).

Rise to Prominence and Segregationist Rhetoric

In 1962, Wallace ran for governor again, this time with a clear pro-segregation and states' rights agenda, garnering support from segregationist groups including the Ku Klux Klan. He triumphed in the Democratic primary and won the general election unopposed, receiving over 300,000 votes—a record in Alabama at the time (12:13).

Wallace's inaugural address, co-written by Klansman Asa Carter, famously declared, "segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" (11:56). This rhetoric fueled some of the most notorious incidents of racial violence during the civil rights movement, with critics attributing the increasing brutality to Wallace's inflammatory statements (12:13).

Key Events During Wallace's Governorship

Children's Crusade and Birmingham Church Bombing

In May 1963, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Children's Crusade involved children marching in Birmingham to protest segregation. Wallace and local authorities responded with extreme measures, including high-pressure fire hoses and police dogs, leading to national outrage (17:03).

A few months later, on September 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed, resulting in the tragic deaths of four young girls. In the wake of this atrocity, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. directly blamed Wallace for creating the hostile environment that led to such violence:

"The blood of four little children is on your hands."
(17:38, Tracy V. Wilson)

Stand in the Schoolhouse Door

In 1963, Vivian Malone and James Hood attempted to enroll at the previously segregated University of Alabama. Wallace infamously blocked their entry in what became known as the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door", symbolizing his resistance to desegregation despite federal court orders (19:06). This act significantly escalated tensions and underscored Wallace's defiance against civil rights advancements.

Selma to Montgomery March

The relentless suppression of black voting rights led to the Selma to Montgomery marches. Bloody Sunday, on March 7, 1965, saw state troopers brutally attacking peaceful marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge under Wallace's orders (20:23). Despite Wallace's claims that the violence was unintended, the event galvanized national support for voting rights, directly influencing the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (21:58).

Lurleen Wallace: Political Partner and Tragic Figure

Lurleen Burns Wallace, Wallace's first wife, played a significant role in his political life. Initially uninterested in politics, she was thrust into the limelight when Wallace attempted a second presidential run in 1968. Unable to seek a consecutive governorship due to Alabama's constitution, Wallace orchestrated Lurleen's candidacy. Despite her health struggles with cancer, Lurleen won the governor's seat, becoming the first woman governor elected in the Deep South (25:00).

During her tenure, Lurleen pushed for initiatives in state parks and mental health. However, her time in office was cut short by her deteriorating health, leading to her death in May 1968 at age 41. Her passing was met with widespread public mourning, reflecting her unexpected impact on Alabama politics (27:23).

Presidential Campaigns and Later Political Career

Wallace's political ambitions extended beyond Alabama. He first sought the presidency in 1964 but refrained from aggressively pursuing the race due to the national political climate. In 1968, under the American Independent Party, Wallace garnered significant support by appealing to disaffected white voters who opposed civil rights advancements. Tragically, during a campaign rally in Laurel, Maryland, Wallace was shot by Arthur Bremer, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and ending his presidential aspirations (34:14).

Undeterred, Wallace returned to Alabama politics, winning the governorship again in 1970 and 1974. His campaigns during this period began to shift subtly as political and social sentiments in the U.S. evolved. By the 1980s, Wallace sought to reach out to the black community, appointing black officials and emphasizing inclusive policies. Historians debate whether these changes were genuine efforts at reconciliation or strategic political maneuvering (35:31).

In 1976, Wallace made another presidential bid as a Democrat, focusing on issues like law and order and opposition to federal interference. Despite winning several primaries, his campaign was derailed by the earlier shooting incident. He eventually endorsed Jimmy Carter, who secured the Democratic nomination (35:31).

Legacy and Final Years

George Wallace's political journey is marked by profound contradictions and transformations. Initially a symbol of resistance to civil rights, his later years saw attempts at bridging divides and promoting inclusivity. In 1982, he was elected to his fourth and final term as Alabama governor, solidifying his unique place in the state's political history.

Wallace retired in 1987 and passed away on September 13, 1998, in Montgomery, Alabama. His legacy remains contentious, embodying both the entrenched segregationist policies of his time and the complex nature of political redemption.

Conclusion

George Wallace's story is a testament to the turbulent times of the American civil rights era and the enduring impact of political rhetoric on societal change. Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson adeptly navigate Wallace's multifaceted legacy, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of his influence on Alabama and the broader national landscape.

"Wallace, more than any other political figure of the 1960s and early 1970s, sensed the frustrations. The rage of many American voters made commonplace a new level of political incivility and intemperate rhetoric and focused that anger upon a convenient set of scapegoats."
—Patia Eaton (38:01)

This episode not only chronicles Wallace's political maneuvers but also invites reflection on the enduring effects of divisive leadership and the possibilities of personal and political transformation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• George Wallace's Inaugural Address:
  "Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."
  (11:56)

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Wallace:
  "The blood of four little children is on your hands."
  (17:38)

• George Wallace on Intervention in Education:
  "Such action will not be allowed on the part of any other group of citizens or non-citizens of the state of Alabama..."
  (20:23)

• Tracy V. Wilson on George Wallace's Influence:
  "Wallace, more than any other political figure of the 1960s and early 1970s, sensed the frustrations..."
  (38:01)

References

• Transcript segments extracted and summarized from the "SYMHC Classics: George Wallace" episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class by iHeartPodcasts.

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