Final answer:
b. Republicans.
After Reconstruction, Democrats targeted Republicans and the largely black state militia with violence to suppress their political influence and regain control of Southern state governments. This campaign sought to restore white supremacy and dismantle the progress in civil rights made during Reconstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Reconstruction, Democrats instituted mob rule for political gain by perpetrating violence not only against black people but also against Republicans.
This violence was a strategic effort to reduce the influence of Republicans, who supported racial equality and the political empowerment of African Americans during the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. Democrats, alongside groups like the Ku Klux Klan, sought to restore white supremacy and undermine the progress that had been made toward civil rights and equality for African Americans.
The state militia, which was predominantly composed of black individuals, was also targeted as they were seen as a force that could protect Republican interests and enforce civil rights legislations. However, Republicans struggled to maintain control amidst the violence and intimidation tactics used by Democrats. This hostile environment led to a broader decline in federal enforcement of civil rights and eventually contributed to the end of Reconstruction.