George Wallace
George Wallace
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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George Corley Wallace Jr., commonly known as George C. Wallace, was an American politician.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: August 25, 1919, in Barbour County, Alabama
Died: September 13, 1998, in Montgomery, Alabama
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Politician
George Wallace was a prominent figure in American politics, serving as the 45th Governor of Alabama from 1963 to 1967, and later as a presidential candidate.
Early Life and Background
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Wallace was born on August 25, 1919, in Barbour County, Alabama. He grew up in a working-class family and developed an interest in politics at an early age. After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law, Wallace served in World War II, where he earned two Purple Hearts for his injuries.
Major Accomplishments
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Wallace's tenure as Governor of Alabama was marked by several notable accomplishments:
Desegregation and Civil Rights: Despite his initial opposition to desegregation, Wallace eventually came to support the integration of the University of Alabama.
Education Reforms: He implemented various education reforms, including increased funding for schools and a state-funded pre-kindergarten program.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of George Wallace's notable actions include:
"Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation Forever": In his inaugural address as Governor in 1963, Wallace famously declared his opposition to desegregation.
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door: On June 11, 1963, Wallace attempted to block the integration of the University of Alabama by physically standing in the schoolhouse door.
Impact and Legacy
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Wallace's impact on American politics is multifaceted:
Civil Rights Movement: Although initially opposed to desegregation, Wallace eventually came to support it, paving the way for significant civil rights legislation.
Southern Politics: Wallace's rise to prominence helped shape Southern politics in the 1960s and beyond.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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George Wallace is widely quoted or remembered due to his:
Influential Speeches: His inaugural address and stand at the schoolhouse door are iconic moments in American history.
Complicated Legacy: As a politician who initially opposed desegregation but eventually supported it, Wallace's legacy serves as a complex reminder of the country's ongoing struggle with civil rights.
George Wallace's life and career serve as a testament to the complexities of American politics. His transformation from an outspoken segregationist to a supporter of civil rights highlights the importance of nuance and understanding in shaping public policy.
Quotes by George Wallace
As I have said before, that Federal Penal Code could never have been enacted into law if we had had a responsible press who was willing to tell the American people the truth about what it actually provides. Nor would we have had a bill had it not been for the United States Supreme Court.
The average citizen in this county has more intelligence and sense in his little finger than the editor of 'The New York Times' has in his whole head.
I've never said that you should have segregation of the school system or any other.
Blacks gave me a standing ovation when they put the cap and gown on me, and that was the proudest I've ever been.
The court today, just as in 1776, is deaf to the voices of the people and their repeated entreaties: they have become arrogant, contemptuous, highhanded, and literal despots.
I don't support white supremacy. I'm the one who made them take 'white supremacy' off the roster that was the symbol of the Democratic Party in this state.
It seems that other parts of the world ought to be concerned about what we think of them instead of what they think of us. After all, we're feeding most of them, and whenever they start rejecting 25 cents of each dollar of foreign aid money that we send to them, then I'll be concerned about their attitude toward us.
Look at all the buses now that want exact change, exact change. I figure if I give them exact change, they should take me exactly where I want to go.
It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave and half-free back in the 1800s.