Bourbon Democracy in Alabama, 1874–1890

A definitive study of the political forces that reshaped Alabama after Reconstruction.

In Bourbon Democracy in Alabama, 1874-1890, historian Johnston Allen Going offers a seminal examination of the political transformation of Alabama during the years following Reconstruction. Focusing on the rise of Bourbon Democratic leadership, Going explores how a new political elite consolidated power, reshaped state institutions, and directed Alabama's economic and social development during a pivotal period in Southern history.

Drawing on extensive historical research, the book traces the efforts of Democratic leaders to restore political control after Reconstruction while promoting policies associated with the emerging New South. Going analyzes the complex interplay of political ideology, economic modernization, class interests, and racial dynamics that influenced governance and public life between 1874 and 1890. Through detailed accounts of elections, legislative initiatives, and political struggles, the study reveals how Alabama's leaders sought to balance progress, stability, and authority in a rapidly changing society.

A landmark contribution to both Alabama history and the broader study of the post-Reconstruction South, Bourbon Democracy in Alabama provides critical insight into the forces that shaped regional politics and helped define the course of Southern development in the late nineteenth century. Essential for understanding the origins of modern Alabama politics, this book is a valuable resource for historians, students, political scientists, genealogists, and anyone interested in Southern history and government.