The correct answer is A) Republicans sought the support of African American men.
The other options of the question were B) Republicans sought the support of former Confederated leaders. C) Republicans waived the loyalty oath. D) Republicans gave all southern women the right to vote.
Republicans gained control of southern state governments during Reconstruction because they sought the support of African American men.
Let's remember that President Abraham Lincoln gave the southern states leeway to do Reconstruction at their own pace. He meant no punishment at all for what had happened in the Civil War. On the other hand, radical Republicans demanded harsh punishment to the Confederated states for the many damages and destruction caused during the war. What happened later was that Republicans sought the support of African American men and played a key role in passing the 14th Amendment that granted protection to all former African American slaves.