Union League Organizes Black Political Power Across South

The Union League, a Republican political organization, established hundreds of chapters across the South in 1867-1868, enrolling tens of thousands of Black members. Meetings were held secretly due to white violence and combined political education, fraternal ritual, and armed self-defense. League members organized Republican conventions, registered voters, and in many areas constituted a mutual defense network. Klan violence systematically targeted Union League leaders.