The Ku Klux Klan

Alex Cesare

What is the Ku Klux Klan?

Secret society begun in the south

Informally known as the KKK Originally set up as social

fraternity but their main goal soon became reasserting white supremacy after the Civil War

Name comes from the Greek word “kuklos” meaning “circle” and “klan” was adopted from the American word “clan”

The Founder

Initially founded by Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Confederate general; he became the first Grand Wizard (leader)

Who were the original members?

Most members were former Confederate army membersSome were plantation owners who still wanted to own

slavesOthers were just people upset with how the government

had treated the South following the Civil War

Where did/does the KKK exist?

First begun in Palaski, Tennessee

From there it spread to Nashville, Tennessee

Over the years it has spread all around the country

When did/does the KKK exist?

Recruiting has recently taken place in the Great Plains area and the Mid-Atlantic states

Begun in 1867KKK activity

continues today

Reasons Behind the KKK

Wanted to oppose Republican governments that had been set up in former Confederate states

Stop African Americans from voting or holding office

Encouraged by the resentments of white southerners following the Civil War

Actions

At first, actions seen as practical jokes

Soon developed into more violent acts of terror, then became deadly

Attacked any African American in power

Tortured and murdered some white sympathizers as well as African Americans

Burned churches and schools Held large scale protests Drove people out of their

homes Rode around during the night

terrorizing people Burned crosses

Attire

KKK members wore tall hats and draped them and them selves in white sheets

Did this as a terror tactic directed at African Americans

Disbandment

1872 – original KKK disbanded after Congress passed the Force Acts

Klan activity dropped off the radar for a period of time and it was surpassed by other white-supremacy clans

1915 – William Simmons founded the 20th century Ku Klux Klan in Stone Mountain, Georgia

New KKK not only anti-black, but also anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, and anti-Semitic

The KKK Today

The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist today

Exist in smaller chapters than in previous years

Activity is more limitedSome of the extreme

beliefs have weakened or adapted to today’s society

Many members are more secretive about their membership today

References

KKK Origins and Initial Growth. (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Net Industries website: http://law.jrank.org/pages/8013/Ku-Klux-Klan-Origins-Initial-Growth.html.

Ku Klux Klan. (2002). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Educational Broadcasting Corporation website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_org_kkk.html.

Ku Klux Klan. (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Answers.com website: http://www.answers.com/topic/ku-klux-klan.

Ku Klux Klan. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Spartacus Educational website: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAkkk.htm.

Ku Klux Klan - Recent Developments . (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Anti-Defamation League website: http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/kkk/expansion.asp?learn_cat=extremism&learn_subcat=extremism_in_america&xpicked=4&item=kkk.

The Start of the Ku Klux Klan. (2009). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from edHelper.com website: http://edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_54_753.html.

Who were the Ku Klux Klan? (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Answers.com website: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_were_Ku_Klux_Klan.