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During the Reconstruction era (1865–1877), the Ku Klux Klan used violence, intimidation, lynchings, and terror to prevent Black Americans from exercising their newly gained freedoms, especially voting, education, and political participation. Founded by former Confederates, the KKK worked to restore white supremacy and undermine Republican-led Reconstruction governments. Its members targeted Black voters, teachers, community leaders, and white Republicans. The Klan's activities supported the political interests of many white Southern Democrats at the time. The goal was to suppress Black political power and restore white control over Southern society.