Democrats mounted increasing violence and fraud at elections from 1868 through the period, in an effort to suppress the black and Republican vote. In 1874, the paramilitary Red Shirts arose as a paramilitary group working openly to disrupt Republican meetings, suppress black voting and return Democrats to power. The most violence occurred in counties where blacks were a strong minority, as Democrats tried to reduce their challenge.
From 1868 through the period, Democrats engaged in escalating acts of violence and electoral fraud to suppress Black and Republican voters. In 1874, the Red Shirts, a paramilitary group, emerged to disrupt Republican meetings, suppress black voting, and regain Democratic control. The most violent incidents occurred in counties with large Black populations as Democrats sought to limit their opposition.