The Ku Klux Klan, otherwise referred to as the KKK, is an American based organisation infamous for its discriminatory actions and predjudice towards african-american** is it only african american racial groups. Although few believe the KKK is no longer prevalent and active such as *** insert quote eg i don’t think its real,***, the majority of researchers find that this organisation is still as active as previous years.
Many speculate that the KKK was formed…… list what you discuss e.g., many believe its formed because of previous beliefs while others believe its cultural etc., and perhaps, due to the KKKs’ many supporters such as (You can then go into this in the body, just list a few here), it has gained so much fame, attention and initiates. <<—- find different words for joiners.
HISTORY OF THE KKK
if this is an essay, delete those sub headings, if its a report- you can keep them but its not that necessary.
The KKK was formed in 1866 following the end of the American Civil War. The five year battle between the north and south Americas began in 1861, and was fought over rights for black slaves and western expansion *****good*****. The United States was experiencing significant economic growth, however, there were large difference between the northern and the southern states ***capitalise*** southern and northern but I’m not totally sure so look it up. As the North was gaining wealth from the growing manufacturing industry, the South collected its wealth from large scale agriculture crops such as tobacco and cotton that was dependent on slave labor.
After the Civil war came a ‘reconstruction’ period lasting from 1865-1877. This period introduced a set of important changes, one of them being that there would be no ownership or control of the labor and lives of former slaves and any other African Americans.
During this reconstruction period, African American people began to have a say in government for the first time in American history. However, in the southern states the loss of slave labor resulted in a decline in income and wealth.
In less than a decade reactionary groups were making efforts to reverse these changes. In a violent kickback to regain white supremacy in the south, the KKK was formed.
A group of former Confederate veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee, decided to create a group named Klu Klux Klan. This name was derived from the greek word ‘kylos’, meaning circle. In 1867 some of the klan members met up in a ‘general organisation convention’ and developed what they called an, “invisible empire of the south”. Nathan Bedford Forrest was chosen to be the klan’s first leader or ‘Grand Wizard’. Forrest then came up with the hierarchy for the klan: Grand dragons being the highest in power, followed by Grand Titans and then Grand Cyclopses. The klans purpose was to restore white supremacy in the south and the group based their beliefs on white nationalism and anti immigration. This period of KKK activity lasted until the 1870s, but declined due to resistance from other civil rights groups. Many people were relieved as they thought this was then end of the violence towards African Americans.
A second KKK developed around 1915, yet was only put into action in 1921. This klan was founded by William Joseph Simmons in Stone Mountain, Georgia. This klan developed the famous symbol of the burning cross, which was used to intimidate people. Much like the first klan, their ideals were based on racism and they espoused hatred for
Black Americans, catholics, communists and Jews. During this time the klan reached its highest number of members soaring to 6 million people. The klan would be stopped in 1944 due to internal conflicts and members being involved in criminal activities.
In the 1960’s there was a less successful resurgence of the KKK. This klan is still present today with around 5000 to 6000 members and has an official website and newspaper.
ACTIVITIES OF THE KKK
When the ex Confederate veterans formed the initial KKK, it was largely to entertain themselves.To disguise there identity, the klansman would ride around dressed in white sheets and hoods, which represented the ghosts of the Confederate soldiers. They then realised that they had stumbled on a powerful way to frighten and intimidate the superstitious newly freed African American slaves. These harmless night-time raids eventually tuned into violent terror attacks on the former slaves and sometimes even people who didn’t agree with the klan beliefs.
Organised terrorism began when Republican organiser George Ashburn was murdered in Georgia on March 31 1868. Through the months that followed, the klans violence spread through the states. These violent actions where intended to scare black and white supporters of the republican party.
What where the activities during the second kkk
On the 15th of September 1963, the ‘Sixteenth Street Baptist Church’ was bombed which caused the death of four young black girls and injured 23 other people inside. It was later found out that them man responsible for the bombing was a member of the KKK.
It is unknown how many people the KKK murdered but it is estimated to be around 3960 African American people alone.
The people who are supporters and members of the group were made of mostly lower class, middle aged white men who were trying to save there jobs and families from being destroyed.
THE KKK TODAY
Most people believe that the Klu Klux Klan is something from the past. However, this is not true. Today there is no “one” klan. From a study undertaken in 2017, there are some 42 different klans that are spread over 22 different States of America. The level of violence has decreased but it isn’t safe to say that it has permanently disappeared.
America has seen a lot of political changes in the past decade. One significant event was the election of President Obama as the first African American president in American history. This was a big accomplishment, as Obama achieved many great things for the USA, and after all these years it finally looked like racism was in decline. However, membership of the KKK also significantly increased due to the election of President Obama.
The USA took a big step backwards in 2016 when a new president was elected. With Donald Trump as president, racism is again out in the open and on the rise. Similar to the period after the American Civil war, the southern states where the KKK was born, are the same states that voted for Donald Trump. The people who are supporters and members of the KKK are mostly lower class, middle aged white men who believe in white supremacy. Interestingly, the majority of the people that supported Donald Trump’s campaign were white middle aged men, similar to the KKK.
Among the many articles about Mr Trump, there is one that stands out from a newspaper called the ‘Crusader’. This newspaper is one of the most prominent newspapers of the KKK . The title of the article reads: “Make America Great Again”. It talks about what makes America great and why Donald Trump is making America a better place. At the end of the article they say “our number one goal is to stop white genocide”. This article is one indication that the KKK believe that President Trump will support white supremacy in the USA.
Conclusion
Are the reasons for the KKK as relevant today as when the organisation was formed?