moah - Evidence acquired to date indicates that the KKK was primarily used as the terror arm of the Democratic Party. According to historian Eric Foner: “In effect, the Klan was a military force serving the interests of the Democratic party…Its purposes were political, but political in the broadest sense, for it sought to affect power relations, both public and private, throughout Southern society. It aimed to…destroy the Republican party's infrastructure, undermine the Reconstruction state, reestablish control of the black labor force, and restore racial subordination in every aspect of Southern life”. According to historical sources, “The members of the first Klan in the South were exclusively Democrats”, launching a "reign of terror against Republican leaders both black and white. Those political leaders assassinated during the campaign included Arkansas Congressman James M. Hinds, three members of the South Carolina legislature, and several men who served in constitutional conventions”. The Klan also attacked black members of the Loyal Leagues and intimidated southern Republicans and Freedmen's Bureau workers. They killed black political leaders, heads of families, and leaders of churches and community groups because they had prominent leadership roles in society. In North and South Carolina alone, within an 18-month period from ending in June of 1867, there were 197 murders and 548 cases of aggravated assault”. To add insult to injury, the KKK made people vote Democratic and gave them certificates of the fact. Again, the KKK was working hand in hand with a state-sponsored political party, further confirming that they themselves were in fact state-sponsored.