Ku Klux Klan Contribution To The Resistance Toward Reconstruction

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Recommended: Reconstruction and radical reconstruction after the civil war

To what extent did the Ku Klux Klan add to the resistance toward reconstruction in South Carolina from 1865-1871?
A. Plan of investigation
The aim of the investigation is to analyze the influence and actions of the Ku Klux Klan. As well as other resistance in South Carolina that occurred during the Reconstruction period in order to find out the impact the Ku Klux Klan added to the resistance toward the Radical Republicans reconstruction ideals.
The investigation began by researching information about the Ku Klux Klan and its role during the Reconstruction Period. As more was learned along with the resources used the most resistance toward Reconstruction was found to be in South Carolina. The focus of the investigation was soon brought into South Carolina in order to analyze the resistance of the Ku Klux Klan. Books and the internet were used in this investigation in order to gain insight about the topic.
B. Summary of Evidence
After the Civil War of 1861-1865 the United States went under Reconstruction (1865-1877) where not only the relationship between the Northern and Southern states was being fixed but Radical Republicans were trying to give freed slaves rights in the South. This angered the Southerners for their strong belief that slaves should not be free men. From the resentment the Ku Klux Klan was created on December 24, 1865 and soon spread throughout the country.
In order to return to the Union, Southern states had to create a constitution that met Congress’ requirements and the one that South Carolina implemented did not meet the requirements. This led Andrew Jackson to choose a governor for South Carolina in 1865 to oversee the constitutional changes that had to be made. Even though this new constitution ens...

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...not want to cooperate, as they created a new constitution to join the Union. Not following Johnson’s guidelines foreshadow the resistance that would follow in the years to come.
E. Conclusion
The Ku Klux Klan played an important role in the opposition toward Reconstruction in South Carolina. They believed that force was needed to continue white supremacy and restrict black’s rights. These actions influenced actions in South Carolina allowing political actions go hand in hand with the violent Klan. The Republican majority was one of the reasons to oppose reconstruction actions. All making black’s struggle politically and socially in South Carolina. The Klan was a major reason for the strongest opposition to be found in South Carolina and for the government to try to decrease its power. The Klan was influential by opposing radical reconstruction following the war.

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