I believe the black vote was heavily Democratic during the FDR years but then trended Republican in the 50s and it was looking like a key constituency to fight for towards the end of that decade. Then, with the nomination of Kennedy and the Republicans going for the Dixiecrat vote instead it all changed. Nixon was the last Republican to get a substantial share of the black vote. I believe exit polling or whatever indicated he got around a 3rd. Given the segregation of black communities it shouldn't be too hard to calculate a rough approximation though should it?
Yup. Eisenhower racked up unprecendented margins in inner cities, sending the Democratic Party into a tizzy.
