alternatehistory.com

In almost every presidential election from 1868 up until, really, today, we have seen the areas of East Tennessee and SE Kentucky, go solidly Republican, or at least far more Republican than the national average.

Even during the era of the Solid South, these mostly White areas went almost entirely for the GOP. What caused this?

Did it have something to do with the old Whig Party's base of support transferring to the Republican party? Was it something economic? These mostly rural and poor areas wouldn't really seem to be in the wheelhouse of the Republican Party for most of its early existence, being a protectionist, industry focused party, before turning gradually into a conservative free trade backing party. There is little real consistency there, but the vote has ALWAYS remained consistent.

Or is it more of a facet of local and state politics loyalties being maintained on the national stage?

And what could the Democrats have done to reverse this trend?
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