History of the Ku Klux Klan
The KKK is a movement that has been very controversial since the Civil War. The Klan as they call themselves was created as a result of the occupation of Federal troops in the South. The KKK's purpose at the time was to provide the people of the south with the leadership to bring back the values of Western Civilization that was taken from them.
The Ku Klux Klan is commonly known as the KKK, which was an organization ran by white people who advocated white supremacy, anti-immigration and racial discrimination. The Ku Klux Klan was and still is a very racist group towards all skin colors other than white, but predominately there focus was on African Americans. Klan members were nervous of the uprising of African Americans after slavery had ended in the U.S in 1865. The Klan’s goal was to hate and terrorize African Americans, making them feel as if they do not belong in the United States (U.S). The dominate force the Klan used was terrorism, both physical assault and murder, by burning, shooting, and hanging. Since the first Klan originated in 1865, there have been 2 more to follow since then.
At one point in time in the 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan – KKK – had a total of more than 4 million members (History.com Staff)! Fortunately, its number of followers decreased rapidly throughout the century. However, this did not stop them from sticking their foot out in the path of the Civil Rights Movement. The Klan had many efforts to slow down the movement; but in the end, they failed to phase it. Actions that the Klan took were bombing and man-slaughtering (History.com Staff). The KKK also had a hand in the sabotage of the Freedom Riders (Fre14). Looking back on the Civil Rights Movement nowadays, some believe that the KKK actions actually gained support for integration.
The Invisible Empire of the South, also known as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), has been a major role in shaping the views of the United States and the South, particularly speaking the eleven former states of the Confederacy. From significant national figures, down to the local county councilman, evidence of the Klan being involved in politics is clearly there. One also cannot rule out the amount of legislation that the Klan has affected due to its terrorist-like tactics. It can definitely said that the KKK not only impacted government and policy making, but it affected Southern life. Since the formation of the first Klan after the end of the Civil War, it has been clear that the KKK will not stop at nothing to ensure the continuity of the white supremacy, especially in the South. The Invisible Empire clearly had a good hold on Southern politics throughout the height of their existence.
The Ku Klux Klan, above any other group, is a very discriminating group. The KKK tries to spread hatred and prejudice. Now in the 20th century the truth came out and KKK power and membership has declined very rapidly in the recent years. In this millennium it is most important to focus on peace and unity that was set as a standard at the end of the 20th century.
The Ku Klux Klan, was an extremist group that formed during the 1800’s. They used torture to gain power, especially in the South. They were a group of white men that shared the same political views and goals. They formed between December of 1865, and the Summer of 1866 in Pulaski Tennessee. Their original idea was to be a brotherhood, but that quickly changed. The Klan did not realize their potential at first, but they realized they could have as much power as they wanted if they worked for it, and thats what they did. They met in secret to plot their heart breaking attacks on African Americans, Republicans and many others. Finally, in the 1870’s laws were passed to limit their deadly actions. In 1869 they had earned notoriety and nationwide
After the Civil War ended, the Southern states went through a time known as Reconstruction. Ex-Confederate soldiers had returned home now, and they were still upset about the outcome of the war. It is at this point in time that the Ku Klux Klan became a part of everyday life for many Southerners. In the beginning the Ku Klux Klan was started to be a way for people who had the same views to spend time together. The original members meant of the Ku Klux Klan to be a "hilarious social club" that would be full of aimless fun (Invisible Empire, p.9), though in later years the Ku Klux Klan became known for their violence against people outside the white race and people who associated with them. Contrary to what most people believe, the Ku Klux Klan was started because of a few people wanted to have some innocent fun, not because they were intending to start a chain of violence on anyone outside the white race.(The Klan, p.2)
From its inception in 1865, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has been associated with the violent mistreatment of minorities in the United States. Its history exhibits an evolution of racism from threats to gruesome murders. Historians and scientists, alike, have spent years attempting to piece together the puzzle of the illusive existence of the Ku Klux Klan. Questions still surround the allegiances of the Klan and its participation in secret activities from its inception to current day. Though always a prolific hate group which participated in hate crimes, when did the Klan’s mischief turn malicious?
The Ku Klux Klan began in Pulaski, Tennessee on December 24, 1865. Six men devised the earliest version of the Klan. These men were all ex-confederate soldiers. They were trying to think of an idea to cheer them up because they were upset at the outcome of the Civil War. One of the men suggested that they should start a club and the others thought that would be a good idea. They named their club the Ku Klux Klan after the Greek word kuklos, which meant circle. They chose the circle because it symbolizes unity and perfection. Then they created names for the ranks of the men. The leader was called the Grand Cyclops. These men were so pleased at what they had created that they wanted to show everyone. So they wrapped themselves and their horses up in white sheets and rode through their town. They terrified everyone especially the African Americans.
Firstly, I will give a brief introduction to the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK was started in 1865 by a group of Confederate Army veterans as a social group. They took the Greek word “kyklos”, meaning circle, and the English word “clan” to come up with the name Ku Klux Klan. What started as a social group quickly gained followers to become a full-fledged terrorist group. The Ku Klux Klan believed that Caucasians were the ultimate race, and held a deep hatred towards blacks. They also held hatreds towards Jews, immigrants, and homosexuals, although these hatreds were not as prominent. To demonstrate this hatred, the KKK burned schools and churches, drove thousands of people from their own homes, and murdered anyone that was black or any whites that helped blacks.