What was the primary goal of the American Independent Party during the 1968 election?

The primary goal of the American Independent Party during the 1968 election was indeed to serve as a pro-segregationist breakaway from the Democratic Party. Founded by George Wallace, the party aimed to attract discontented Southern white voters who felt alienated by the national Democratic Party's progressive stance on civil rights and its increasing support for desegregation. Wallace's campaign explicitly embraced states' rights and opposed federal intervention in matters of race, which resonated with many who were resistant to the civil rights movement. The party's platform reflected a commitment to maintaining racial segregation and resisting the changes brought about by civil rights legislation. Thus, the American Independent Party became a significant symbol of the political realignment occurring in the United States during this era, particularly in the South, marking a reaction against the perceived liberalization of the Democratic Party.