THE KU KLUX KLAN
There are three main periods: the first one from 1865 till 1871, the second one from 1915 till 1944 and the last one from 1946 till today. Between these periods the Klan was forbidden or had died out.
The Birth of the Ku Klux Klan (1866-1871): The KKK was founded after the Civil War to keep the old order of the separation between the whites and the Afro-Americans. It was organized as a social club for Confederated veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866. The first leader of the Klan was Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was also called the Grand Wizard. The name Ku Klux Klan comes from the Greek word kyklos, in English circle, and the English word clan (Ky klos clan became to Ku Klux Klan).
The Klan members soon began to attack Afro-Americans, which wanted to be political active, for example to go to an election or only wishing to be registered in the town hall. They also beat them up, forced them to leave town or even murdered them and their sympathizer. To hide there identity the members wore white robes and hoods, they also put sheets over the horses. The KKK spread quickly through the south of the USA and got also known as the "Invisible Empire of the South". In 1867 the Ku Klux Klan got a secret army to oppose the Unionist/Republican state government.
The 'Force Bill' was passed by Congress in 1871. This law was the beginning of the end of the 1st period, because it allowed President Grant to send federal troops to the main scope of action and he really did it. When this law was passed the Klan soon disappeared. In 1882 the Supreme Court declared the KKK also unconstitutional.
The 2nd Klan (1915-1944):
The new Klan was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1915 by William J. Simmons. He got his inspirations from Thomas Dixion's book "The Clansman" (1905) and the film "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) from D. W. Griffith. The Ku Klux Klan was a Protestant fraternal society, that is why they attacked not only blacks and immigrants, but also Jews and sometimes even Roman Catholics. The number of members in the early 1920's varied from 1.5 million to 4 million. The organization drew members from all ranks of the white society, but mainly from the lower middle class people. The Klan got also more and more power in states like Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon and in nearly the whole south. The Klan made the people fear of the immigrants, communists and other minorities and fed their frustration to get new members.
There was only a small part which was as violent as the Klan members in the 1st period. Most of the members were nonviolent, they only marched in parades, paid fee, vote for the political candidates of the Klan or perhaps took part in rallies where crosses were burned. The original Ku Klux Klan did not make cross burnings, this is one of the ideas of Dixon's book.
During the world economic crisis 1930's the membership dropped drastically and the last rests of the Klan were disbanded in 1944.
The 3rd Klan (1946-today):
Samuel Green revived the Klan in Atlanta in 1946 again. At the beginning the KKK lived from the fear of Communism. In 1949 S. Green died and the Klan got divided in many splinter groups like the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan , The New Order Knights of the Ku Klux Klan or the Invisible Empire.
During the civil-rights movement in the 1960's the different Klans got stronger again. In this time all Klans together have had about 17000 members, in 1979 there were only 10000 members. When the civil-rights movement started, some splinter groups began to get huge arsenals of guns and other military gear. They terrorized supporters of civil-rights movement all over the south of the USA. In the late 1970's and early 1980's they got new members again, because there were special programs to help the black citizens. Today the Klans sympathize Neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists.
Symbols used by the Ku Klux Klan:
The Ku Klux Klan still uses many symbols. Since the Ku Klux Klan is a very religious organization, the Cross is a very important symbol.
The most famous symbol of the Klan is the "Fiery Cross". It was used at first in the 1920's to fear opponents of the Klan. The "Fiery Cross" is a burning wooden cross which stands near the house of their enemies. This symbol was and is often used to fright blacks and their supporters. The Klan claims that it is used to "represent the ideals of Christian Civilization". They contend that they "light the Cross with fire to signify to the world that Jesus Christ is the light of the world." There are also theories that some groups burn down the Cross to desecrate it.
Since the 1920's the symbol which stands for the Klan is the "Blood Drop" symbol. In the center of it you can see a red drop. It is the symbol "for the last drop of blood that a Klansman will shed in defense of the White Race". The cross in it displays the religious persuasion of the Klan members. In the background you can see a red circle which is a symbol for the community of the Klansmen.
The best known symbol of the Ku Klux Klan is the Klan Robe and Hood. You can often find the argumentation that the robe is worn as a symbol of humility for their Christian rituals, like the robes which are often worn by monks. But it is a fact, that this robe is always worn when a Klan members does anything illegal. It is also sure that they use the robe to fear people.
Where can you find the Klan?
There are more than 120 Klan groups in the US today. The most KKK groups are located in
Florida. There are organizations which claim to operate in the whole world. There are about 400
members in Britain and 4,000 to 6,500 members in different fractions in the US today (in 1981 they have had about 10,000 members). Since they are underground groups nobody really knows how many members and supporters the Klan has. But in the last years the Klan got new power again. Events like the O. J. Simpson lawsuit encouraged more people to join the Klan.
The Terror Acts of the Ku Klux Klan today and in the near past
To reach their aims, some Klan organizations use the same methods as 100 years ago. They create a atmosphere of fear and terror. They use hate and violence.
Here are some terror acts of the Klan from the early 1980's till the end of the 1990's:
- February 22, 1983, Knox County, Tennessee: At this day two Klansmen were arrested because they put a pistol at the nose of a 71-year-old black man to kill him. They did it because "they just didn't like his color".
- August 10, 1984, Talloopsa and Waco, Georgia: Five Klansmen were arrested because they broke in to attack a colored man and his white wife and another white women which sympathize with blacks.
- April 22, 1997 Fort Worth, Texas: Three members of the Ku Klux Klan planned to blow up a natural gas refinery. This members also planned to kill hundreds of people including children as a diversion from a simultaneous robbery. All of them declared to be guilty and they will get up to 20 years in prison.
These events show that the Klan is still dangerous and has to be watched by government and other organizations like "Klanwatch" or "Stop-The-Hate".
Internet:
http://www.kukluxklan.org http://www.kkk.com http://www.k-k-k.com http://www.kkkk.net
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ku Klux Klan
What are the three main periods of the Ku Klux Klan?
The Ku Klux Klan had three main periods: 1865-1871, 1915-1944, and 1946-present. Between these periods, the Klan was either forbidden or inactive.
When and why was the first Ku Klux Klan founded?
The first KKK was founded after the Civil War, between 1866 and 1871, in Pulaski, Tennessee. It was initially organized as a social club for Confederate veterans but quickly turned to enforcing racial segregation and suppressing the rights of African Americans.
Who was the first leader of the Klan, and what is the origin of the name?
Nathan Bedford Forrest, also called the Grand Wizard, was the first leader of the Klan. The name "Ku Klux Klan" comes from the Greek word "kyklos" (circle) and the English word "clan."
What tactics did the Klan use during its first period?
During its first period, the Klan attacked African Americans who wanted to be politically active, beat them, forced them to leave town, and even murdered them and their sympathizers. They wore white robes and hoods to hide their identity and terrorize their victims.
How did the first period of the Klan end?
The 'Force Bill' of 1871 allowed President Grant to send federal troops to suppress Klan activities, leading to its decline. In 1882, the Supreme Court declared the KKK unconstitutional.
When and where was the second Klan founded, and what inspired it?
The second Klan was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1915 by William J. Simmons. He drew inspiration from Thomas Dixon's book "The Clansman" (1905) and D. W. Griffith's film "The Birth of a Nation" (1915).
What were the targets of the second Klan?
The second Klan targeted not only blacks and immigrants but also Jews and sometimes Roman Catholics. They were a Protestant fraternal society.
How did the second Klan gain power?
The Klan gained power by exploiting people's fear of immigrants, communists, and other minorities, and by capitalizing on their frustrations.
What was the main difference between the first and second Klan regarding violence?
While the first Klan was primarily known for violence, most members of the second Klan were nonviolent. They participated in parades, paid fees, voted for Klan-backed political candidates, and attended rallies where crosses were burned (a practice that originated in Dixon's book, not the original Klan).
What led to the disbanding of the second Klan?
The world economic crisis of the 1930s drastically reduced membership, and the last remnants of the Klan were disbanded in 1944.
When and by whom was the third Klan revived?
Samuel Green revived the Klan in Atlanta in 1946.
What fueled the growth of the Klan in its third period?
At the beginning, the KKK lived from the fear of Communism. Later, during the civil-rights movement in the 1960s, the different Klans got stronger again.
What characterized the activities of some Klan splinter groups during the civil rights movement?
Some splinter groups acquired large arsenals of guns and other military gear and terrorized supporters of the civil-rights movement across the South.
What are some symbols used by the Ku Klux Klan?
The Klan uses several symbols, including the Cross (particularly the "Fiery Cross"), the "Blood Drop" symbol, and the Klan Robe and Hood.
What is the significance of the "Fiery Cross"?
The "Fiery Cross" is a burning wooden cross used to intimidate opponents of the Klan and, according to the Klan, to represent the ideals of Christian Civilization and signify that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
What is the meaning of the "Blood Drop" symbol?
The "Blood Drop" symbol represents the "last drop of blood that a Klansman will shed in defense of the White Race."
What is the purpose of the Klan Robe and Hood?
The Klan Robe and Hood are used to hide the identity of Klan members when they are engaged in illegal activities and to instill fear in people.
Where are most KKK groups located today?
Most KKK groups are located in Florida. Some organizations claim to operate worldwide.
How many members does the Klan have today?
There are about 400 members in Britain and 4,000 to 6,500 members in different fractions in the US today, although the exact number is unknown due to the underground nature of the groups.
What types of terror acts have Klan organizations committed in recent history?
Klan organizations have been involved in terror acts such as assaulting black individuals, attacking interracial couples and sympathizers, and plotting to bomb facilities like natural gas refineries.
What are some organizations that monitor the activities of the Ku Klux Klan?
Organizations like "Klanwatch" and "Stop-The-Hate" monitor the activities of the Ku Klux Klan.
What are some websites associated with the Ku Klux Klan?
Some websites associated with the Ku Klux Klan include http://www.kukluxklan.org, http://www.kkk.com, http://www.k-k-k.com, http://www.kkkk.net, and http://www.neworderknights.com.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andreas Zuser (Autor:in), 1999, Die Geschichte des Ku Klux Klans, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/102643
