Ku Klux Klan History

explanatory Essay

1429 words

e ku klux klan first started in the year 1865. In greek it means kyklos meaning “circle”. the group was formed out of confederate veterans in Pulaski Tennessee and then in the summer of 1866 they began organizing their own convention and later created an establishment in what they called “an invisible empire of the south” Leading confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest was the first chosen leader or “grand wizard” of the KKK he was in charge of the grand dragons, grand titans, and grand cyclopses. Its highest peak was in the 1920’s the klan membership exceeded 4million people nationwide. in 1869 after a short period of time he tried to dismantle the group after they became to overwhelmed with excessive violence it was like they were addicted to killing blacks. But that was unsuccessful In a few southern states the republicans tried to come up with there own little group to break up the klan but once again their plan was not a success. And then later tried again a few short months later because he felt the group was getting corrupt and officially stopped the group. But local organizations known as Klaverns continued to act on their own calling and considering themselves members of the klan. They mostly traveled to places where their was a larger population of african americans like Birmingham Alabama From the time of 1948 to 1957, there were 48 unsolved racial bombings in Birmingham alone. Birmingham was the largest and most volatile city in Alabama. Its black population was severely segregated in many ways, economically, socially and especially in the labor market where they were confined to menial, low-paying jobs. in one month only in 1957, four black churches were bombed in Birmingham along with seven private reside... ... middle of paper ... ...hem on the stand where many were convicted for the bombings.From the day of the bombing 963 to the day of Bobby Frank Cherry's conviction on May 22, 2002, he was the last man to get convicted of the bombings almost 39 years had passed. Many of the witnesses, participants and investigators in the case had long since died. Even the Civil Rights Era had faded into history. The Ku Klux Klan,still in existence today, does not possess nearly the power and influence it wielded in the 1950s and early '60s. Birmingham, too, has changed for the better and bears little resemblance to its former self. It has undergone a total transformation by separating itself from an ugly past and embracing a better and more hopeful future. The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where all those children was killed still stands and has become an historical landmark of the Civil Rights era.

In this essay, the author

Explains that e ku klux klan was formed out of confederate veterans in pulaski tennessee and in the summer of 1866 they began organizing their own convention and later created an establishment in what they called an invisible empire of the south.
Explains that confederate general nathan bedford forrest was the first chosen leader or "grand wizard" of the kkk.
Narrates how the republicans tried to break up the klan in 1869, but their plan was unsuccessful. they tried again a few months later because they felt the group was getting corrupt.
Explains that birmingham was the largest and most volatile city in alabama. its black population was severely segregated in many ways, economically, socially and especially in the labor market.
Explains that in 1957, four black churches were bombed in birmingham along with seven private residences. the neighborhood became known as "dynamite hill" and four klansmen abducted and tortured a black handyman.
Explains that the kkk would go after white republicans, intimidate them, assault them or murder them to influence upcoming elections.
Explains that the ku klux klan targeted institutions such as schools, business, churches, and cars to get their point across.
Explains that even though the klan had branches in every southern state, they didn't broadcast or boast about what they did, but they were very good at getting away with things.
Describes how the klan attacked at night and killed around 3,446 black people over a grace period.
Explains that the klan burned the cross to spread the light of christ into the world of ignorance and hatred. lynchings were usually done on the blacks and the crowd would proudly pose for pictures with the victim still hanging from the tree.
Narrates how they found the letter kkk spray painted on the hood of her car along with a racial slur. the park had no surveillance cameras but authorities believed they attacked her because she was wearing an obama campaign shirt.
Narrates how martin luther king jr. went to birmingham in 1963 to do some campaigning. he came to the conclusion that there have been more unsolved bombings of negro homes and churches.
Narrates how bombings continued and increased on dynamite hill. a black man was shot and killed by the birmingham police and dozens of others were injured or arrested.
Narrates how 80-100 girls were getting ready for church when they were bombed out of no where. the explosion shattered windows for at least two blocks and turned over ten cars parked near the church.
Describes how a white 16-year-old shot virgil ware twice in the chest, killing him on the scene. the klan never said one word and no one ever came forward.
Describes how fbi agents followed klan members around the city, and the reward fund grew higher and higher until it reached nearly $80,000.

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