At what point did the Southern Strategy begin?

[Vice President Christian Man]

I'd say 1896 although it wasn't polished/complete until the 1960's. Eisenhower was the first one to (for non-religious reasons) carry parts of the South and Nixon did well in 1960 on his coattails, but I think it was Goldwater who put in a solid plan. It's interesting to note that Kennedy is the last non-Southern Democrat to have won the South in large part to this.