Conversation so far:
who were the biggest opponents to reconstruction in the U.S
The opponents of Reconstruction formed state political parties, affiliated with the national Democratic Party and often named the Conservative Party.
Who did the Conservative Party support in the opposition to reconstruction
The Conservative party supported or tolerated violent paramilitary groups, such as the White League in Louisiana and the Red Shirts in Mississippi and the Carolinas.
What did the violent paramilitary groups the white league and the red shirts do
The White League in Louisiana and the Red Shirts in Mississippi and the Carolinas assassinated and intimidated both black and white Republican leaders at election time.
How did the Southeners identified themselves during reconstruction
White Southerners identified as the Conservative Party or the Democratic and Conservative Party“

Question: Why
Self-contained rewrite: Why did White Southeners identified themselves as the conservative party or the Democratic and Conservative party during reconstruction