Final answer:
The Ku Klux Klan's violent activities during Reconstruction led to the restoration of White supremacy in the South by suppressing Black voter turnout and intimidating Republican supporters, resulting in a shift in the political balance towards the Democratic Party.
Step-by-step explanation:
Klan activities had a profound effect on the political balance in the South during the Reconstruction era. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) utilized violence and intimidation tactics to restore White supremacy and dismantled Republican governments, which had been more inclined to support African American citizenship and political participation.
Among various strategies, Klan violence aimed to suppress Black voter turnout, perpetrate political assassinations, and inhibit the progress of Republican leaders. Their actions drove a significant shift in the political landscape of the South, emboldening the Democratic Party and undermining the enforcement of African Americans' civil rights.
Despite the federal government's attempt to suppress the KKK through the Enforcement Acts, Klan-related violence continued, ultimately aiding in the 'redemption' of the South by the Democrats and the solidification of a racially segregated society.