The Republicans were an occupying force who rigged elections in the south as part of Reconstruction.

So, the methods democrats use to erase southern culture had been developed when democrats were controlling the southern resistance.

Before that, they could just use their 3/5 slave votes to autowin every time. But persuading Christians to tolerate unelected slaver leaders isn't easy, so they had much initiative to practice their propaganda skills even before the civil war.

They've reeducated blacks. They will reeducate southerners.

The Republicans of the 1880s would be BLMers, dressed like the right half of the image.

Republicans want equal rights, democrats want a right for themselves to decide who gets what.