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Although these states once fought against the [[United States]] in the [[Civil War]], today they are known for their patriotism.  From the end of the Civil War to the 1964 election, the "Solid South" as political pundits called it, nearly always supported Democratic candidates. The Solid South began to break down in the 1968 elction, when the region split (with the exception of Texas) its electoral votes between Republican candidate Richard Nixon and Independent George Wallace. It is thought that this was a reaction to Lyndon Johnson's signing the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Today, the South is one of the strongholds of the [[Republican]] party, and is the most conservative region in the United States.   

Although these states once fought against the [[United States]] in the [[Civil War]], today they are known for their patriotism.  From the end of the Civil War to the 1964 election, the "Solid South" as political pundits called it, nearly always supported Democratic candidates. The Solid South began to break down in the 1968 elction, when the region split (with the exception of Texas) its electoral votes between Republican candidate Richard Nixon and Independent George Wallace. It is thought that this was a reaction to Lyndon Johnson's signing the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Today, the South is one of the strongholds of the [[Republican]] party, and is the most conservative region in the United States.   

Compared to other areas of the United States, the South spends little on its public education system. As a result, the region lags far behind the rest of the nation in terms of academics, with most states reporting very low reading and test scores{{fact}}.  

Compared to other areas of the United States.  Conservative voters constantly reject funding for schools, so the South spends little on its public education system. As a result, the region lags far behind the rest of the nation in terms of academics, with most states reporting very low reading and test scores{{fact}}.  

The South has always volunteered and served in the Armed Forces in disproportionately high numbers.{{fact}}

The South has always volunteered and served in the Armed Forces in disproportionately high numbers.{{fact}}