The Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

Introduction The Ku Klux Klan, also known as KKK, reemerged during the 20’s.It is a fair- right organization with hidden identities under robes and masks who advocated extremist reactionary views on white nationalism, white supremacy, anti-immigration (terrorism) and anti-communist.

Thesis The Ku Klux Klan during the 20’s, stood against the forward thinking and actions that would bring minority groups such as blacks to have more freedom. They acted in groups who burned down crosses, bombed schools for blacks and used rioting and ransacking as methods of persuasion.

History It was the revival of the Ku Klux Klan, who originally began in the 1860’s/ 70’s The new Klan was founded in 1915 by William J. Simmons (former preacher) It admitted only native-born white protestants into the Klan A great distrust of foreigners, blacks, Catholics and Jews

History In 1920, Edward Y. Clarke and Elizabeth Tyler (two publicity agents) took control of the movement and organized a membership drive A major share of the initiation fees went into their own pockets Approximately in 1 year, they enrolled 100,000 recruits and raised a total of 5 million by 1923

History Most members joined this Klan in order to let out their frustrations without personal risk Members masked themselves in white robes and hoods They burned crosses They organized mass demonstrations They pressured businessman to fire black workers from better paying jobs They persecuted gamblers, loose women, violators of the prohibition laws, anyone who differed from them on religious questions, and those of foreign race

History The Klan did not appeal in the Northeast and in metropolitan centers It found many members in mid-sized cities, small towns and villages in mid-west and western states One of the ideas behind the Klan, was an urge to return to an older (finer) America and eradicate all variations of nonconformity

History Rival leaders disagreed over the large sums that had been collected from the membership Liberals and Conservatives were disturbed by the outrageous behavior of the Klan The victims of their torments joined together

History The Klan remained influential for a number of years Contributed to the defeat of Alfred E. Smith (Catholic) in the presidential election of 1928 The Great Depression in the 1930s exhausted the Klan’s membership ranks By 1930 it had only some 9,000 members left In 1965, president Lyndon Johnson delivered a speech condemning the Klan In the decades that followed, the Klan’s became more and more isolated yet some became aligned with neo-Nazi’s and right winged extremists from the 1970’s onward Yet this did not mean the end of the KKK

Important dates and words 1860’s/70s the beginnings 1915 the revival 1920/23 Edward Y. Clarke and Elizabeth Tyler 1928 presidential election 1930’s Great Depression 1965 president Lyndon Johnson 1970’s new alliances

Quote “The 1920's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other” In regard to the KKK, this quote is very much applicable. While most members of society during the 20’s were advancing in their way of thinking, dressing and simply living, the KKK was trying with most brutal force to stop certain advances. Their hatred towards foreigners and blacks, was one of their main wars to fight during a time of development. After multiple outbreaks of violence of the KKK, many members of society have brought forth their dislike towards their brutal tactics.

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