Republicans, Democrats and Blacks

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The Civil Rights Act of 1871 is still one of the most powerful authorities with which state and federal courts may protect those whose rights are deprived.

Ku Klux Klan means “Circle of Brothers” [kuklos = Greek for circle].

1869–1871   41st Congress   3 Blacks, all Republicans, 1 Senator
1871–1873   42nd Congress  5 Blacks, all Republicans
1873–1875   43rd Congress   7 Blacks, all Republicans
1875–1877   44th Congress   7 Blacks, all Republicans, 1 Senator
1877–1879   45th Congress   4 Blacks, all Republicans, 1 Senator

Enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 suppressed Klan activity. In 1874 and later, newly organized and openly active paramilitary organizations, such as the White League and the Red Shirts, started a fresh round of violence aimed at suppressing blacks’ voting and running Republicans out of office.

The violence and laws designed to prevent Blacks from voting allowed segregationist white Democrats to regain political power in all Southern states by 1877.

The number of Blacks elected to Congress began to decline until, from 1902 to 1929, there were none.

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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/42nd_United_States_Congress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1871
http://millercenter.org/president/events/04_20
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan
http://baic.house.gov/historical-data/representatives-senators-by-congress.html