Why were the Democrats who took control of Louisiana after Reconstruction given the nickname “Bourbon Democrats”? They wanted a return to pre-Civil War Louisiana, just like the French rulers who tried to reverse policies after the French Revolution.

They gained financial backing from French leaders who lived in Bourbon, France and wanted to invest in Louisiana land.

They first met at that location to discuss policy change they wanted in order to restore the Old South.

They were all descended from French kings who lived in an area of France referred to as Bourbon.