Doughfaceism

/ˈdoʊˌfeɪsɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The political practice or tendency of being weak-willed, unprincipled, or easily influenced by others, especially in reference to pre-Civil War Northern politicians compromising on slavery.

Etymology

From doughface plus the suffix '-ism,' creating an abstract noun describing the political behavior and ideology of spineless politics. An American political term from the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Doughfaceism was more than name-calling—it was a way of describing an entire political strategy of appeasement and compromise that American abolitionists saw as moral cowardice.

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