1. The Ku Klux Klan: The Ultimate Act to Restore White Supremacy
Blair Holton
History 121
Mr. Noel
November 28th, 2014

2. Explanation for the Name
The first two words, “Ku” and “Klux” came from the Greek word “kyklos”
It means circle
Obviously, the third word, “Klan” was used to finish the “k” pattern
Shortened to just “KKK” soon after the name was established

3. Original Reasons
The first meeting in Pulaski, Tennessee was for a social club
Dates vary, most say either late 1865 or the summer of 1866
They were southern men against the Republican Party
Apparently, the intent of the founding members was not to be violent, but for peaceful restoration of the ways before the Civil War
Wanted to restore white supremacy and regain Democratic control

4. Justifications Called themselves Christians
Would twist the words of the bible to fit the crime
Often said they were returning things to “the way God wanted them to be”

5. Interesting Facts
The group had its own language – created many words that would only be used when referring to the KKK
Examples:
Kloran– official book of Klan rituals
Grand Wizard– leader of the entire KKK
Den– local group
Klansmen– members

6. Members The group often included many notable officials Recruited:
Political leaders
Sheriffs
Criminals
The first position of Grand Wizard was appointed to, the very popular, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest

7. Outfits Worn by Klansmen
White masks with holes for the eyes
High, colonial, cardboard hat
Long robes
Tried to put an emphasis on who the group thought was superior by using an all white wardrobe

8. Notable Actions Most took place during the second phase of Restoration
Most violent acts happened at night
It is estimated that almost 10 percent of black legislators, elected between 1867 and 1868, suffered from cruelty– seven were killed
Raided black churches and schools
Most of the time, the group mutilated blacks in front of their families

9. Notable Actions Continued
A 103-year-old woman was whipped, as was a completely paralyzed man.
In Georgia, Abraham Colby, an organizer and leader in the black community, was whipped for hours in front of his wife and children.
In Mississippi, Jack Dupree's throat was cut and he was disemboweled in front of his wife, who had just given birth to twins.

10. Retaliations to the Klan
In North and South Carolina, citizens fought and threatened Klansmen
In Texas over 6,000 arrest were made by a state police unit organized by Governor Edmund Davis
In Tennessee and Arkansas, Republican officials created another police unit that not only arrested, but also made executions of Klansmen
Between late 1868 to late 1869, almost sixty cases were tried against members of the group, and half of them were convicted

11. The Ku Klux Klan Act Passed by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1871
Also called the “Civil Rights Act of 1871”
Gave the President the right to “suspend the writ of habeas corpus in cases of secret conspiracy.”
The president can throw away the right to go before a judge or court when arrested if they were accused for a Klan-like crime

12. The End of the First Klan
The KKK only continued for almost a year after the Civil Rights Act of 1871 was passed
The Klan was actually announced to be ending around March 1869, but small dens existed until 1872
Lasted only around 5 years

13. The KKK After the 1870s The second Ku Klux Klan formed in 1915
The third Klan arose in the 1960s
The third group is believed to still exist today
The KKK later targeted Jews, immigrants, gays and lesbians, and even Catholics

14. Overview
The KKK majorly impacted post Civil War life, not only for blacks, but also for whites
The dens used violence, intimidation, and political aspects to achieve their goals of white supremacy
Ultimately, the Klan did reach their goal
the Democrats gained control by 1876
blacks lost their rights
the white extremists only had to sacrifice one thing— slavery

15. Works Cited
"The Civil War and Emancipation." PBS. Accessed November 19,
Fisher, Michael. "The Ku Klux Klan." Touchstone Accessed November 19,
"Ku Klux Klan -- Extremism in America." Anti-Defamation League. Accessed November 19,
"Ku Klux Klan." History.com Accessed November 19,
"Ku Klux Klan." Southern Poverty Law Center. Accessed November 18, klan.
Long, Christopher. "Ku Klux Klan." Handbook of Texas Online. Last modified on August 20, 2013.
Wormser, Richard. "The Ku Klux Klan (1866)." PBS Accessed November 18,