Labor strikes broke out, pitting coal miners and railroad men against their powerful employers. A thoughtful explanation of the klans appeal in the fasturbanizing america of the 1920s, which was leaving behind an earlier nation based, in imagined memory, on selfsufficient yeoman farmers, proud bluecollar workers, and virtuous small. Ku klux klan kkk the ku klux klan kkk, the klan, founded in 1865 in pulaski, tennessee, was established as a direct response to the souths defeat in the civil war. As a secret vigilante group, the klan targeted black freedmen and their allies. Resistance, reactionary, and revolutionary during its. To expand its membership in the 1920s, the ku klux klan engaged in. The rise and fall of the 1920s ku klux klan created by ryan w. The ku klux klan march in stocktan, california, during the 1920s.
The following fact sheet contains interesting facts and information on 1920s kkk ku klux klan in the 1920s facts about the 1920s kkk ku klux klan in the 1920s 1920s kkk fact 1. Support for the ku klux klan in the 1920s essay 552 words. She described a resurgence of the white supremacist. The ku klux klan was the best known of these, and in time it absorbed many of the smaller organizations. Nativism and fundamentalism in the 1920s article khan academy.
The ku klux klan was founded in 1866 by exconfederate soldiers and other southerners opposed to reconstruction after the civil war. Ku klux klan in alabama from 19151930 encyclopedia of. Collected commentary on the ku klux klan, 19191929 pdf. The ku klux klan was a white supremacist terrorist group that emerged during reconstruction. The ku klux klan the ku klux klan throughout the history of. A klan book from 1921 mentions aid given to local black families and former slaves in texas food aid was given to a black old folks home in richmond, virginia in 1925. An online exhibit providing access to a variety of primary source materials related to the changing american culture in the early 1900s. Using the ku klux klan as a case study, students will develop a deeper understanding of the conflict over race, ethnicity, immigration, identity, and religion in american history. The ku klux klan in the city, 19151930 by kenneth t.
The klan rides again roy rosenzweig center for history. Ku klux klan in alabama from 19151930 encyclopedia of alabama. Ku klux klan, america in the 1920s, primary sources for. The ku klux klan kkk is the most prominent hatebased organization in american history.
The ku klux klan was controversial in the 1920s not only because of its intolerance and promotion of vigilante violence, but also because of its entry into american politics. The ku klux klan in indiana, 19211928 by leonard j. May 06, 2020 download 7page essay on ku klux klan 1920 2020. Whippings, tarand featherings, threats of violence, and for black victims, lynching, became common. O n december 24, 1865, in pulaski, tennessee, general nathan bedford forrest and a small band of former confederate soldiers decided that they had to do something to restore the democratic party in the south after the civil war and to help dixie shake off the oppressive yoke imposed upon. The ku klux klan and the american political tradition when they drove malcolm xs family out of omaha and evicted all the japanese americans from a town in washington state. The ku klux klan of the 1920s by linda gordon, author of the second coming of the kkk. Jul 16, 20 this manual was prepared under the direction and authority of the knights of the ku klux klan. In the waning years of reconstruction the klan disbanded. The ku klux klan rally in kingston spectres of kingston.
The ku klux klan is one of the oldest and most feared groups in america. Combine these these terms with the event or person you. Ku klux klan members parading along pennsylvania ave. Oct 25, 2017 the klan was the biggest social movement of the early twentieth century, one whose ideas echo again today, writes new york university historian linda gordon in her startling new book. The ku klux klan throughout the history of the united states there have been many different secret gangs, clubs, and organizations, but by far the most infamous is the ku klux klan kkk. Citizen klansmen, the ku klux klan in indiana, 19211928. A new form of the kkk formed in the 1920s, slightly differentiated from the previous klan formed in the late 1800s. Whippings, tarandfeatherings, threats of violence, and for black victims, lynching, became common. Today, while the traditional klan has declined, there are many other groups which go by a. The 19thcentury klan was originally organized as a social club by confederate veterans in pulaski, tennessee, in 1866. Ku klux klan, america in the 1920s, primary sources for teachers.
Kkk in washington state seattle civil rights and labor. The klan was active in the areas of trenton and camden and it also had a presence in several of the states northern counties in the 1920s. The resurgence of the ku klux klan in the 1920s coincided with the antiradical and antiimmigrant hysteria of the red scare that had engulfed the nation. Each has advocated extremist reactionary positions such as white nationalism, anti. In 1915, white protestant nativists organized a revival of the ku klux klan near atlanta, georgia, inspired by their romantic view of the old south as well as thomas. Historian linda gordon talked about her book, the second coming of the kkk. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains.
It was started in tennessee after the american civil war by a group of 6 men in 1865. Up until 1927, the only other reference i can find to the ku klux klan in kingston newspapers is an article from april 1868, in the kingston daily news. It took egregious, violent steps to undermine the republican party. Its goal was to preserve the white, protestant civilization and instigate the re. That request was to post at the stroke of midnight, new years eve, a new webpage with links to downloads of dozens of never before seen by non members ku klux klan secret documents. Knights of the ku klux klan klansmans manual balder. It took egregious, violent steps to undermine the republican party, hoping to maintain black economic instability and ensure white racial and economic superiority in the antebellum south. In 1920s middle america, the ku klux klan gained popularity not by appealing to the fanatical fringes of society, but by attracting the interest of averag. In the 1920s, a backlash against immigrants and modernism led to the original culture wars. In 1925 a friendly baseball game was held in wichita, kansas between ku klux klan chapter 6 and the allblack monrovians baseball teams, in front of a mixed crowd.
This video is a digital project completed as part of professor lilia fernandezs history 4015. The ku klux klan, or simply the klan, is the name of three distinct movements in the united states. Indiana university professor james madison talks about the kkk of the 1920s, which was made up of white protestants from different social. Men marching through the streets with white hoods covering their faces.
A new version of the ku klux klan arose during the early 1920s. Burton wheeler, a senator from montana, visited one of the strike areas. Simmons may 6, 1880 may 18, 1945, a former methodist preacher from atlanta, georgia, in 1915. They apparently derived the name from the greek word kyklos, from which comes the english circle. History of the ku klux klan in new jersey wikipedia.
The current manifestation consists of numerous small unconnected groups that. The ku klux klan of the 1920s and the american political tradition. The new klan grew slowly under simmonss control, but its popularity skyrocketed during the early 1920s under the leadership of hiram evans, a texas dentist who became the groups imperial wizard supreme leader in 1921. Lewis 25 august2014 ku klux klan in 1865, a nativeborn american racist terrorist organization that became known as the ku klux klan was founded by william nathan bedford a former confederate general.
Its strange disguises, its silent parades, its midnight rides, its mysterious language and commands, were found to be most effective in playing upon fears and superstitions. When the ku klux klan was in its infancy, they were organized like a social group. This book advances our understanding of the invisible empire both as a cultural movement and as an american institution. Klan parade in washington, dc, silent newsreel, 1925. This manual was prepared under the direction and authority of the knights of the ku klux klan. The second was a very large, controversial, nationwide organization in the 1920s. Outlining fully the policies and the program of the knights of ku klux klan toward the public school system. This group was very similar to antiforeign nativist movements and the antiblack nightriders. The ku klux klan article about the ku klux klan by the free. Today, while the traditional klan has declined, there are many other groups which go by a variety of names and symbols and.
The ku klux klan in the city, 19151930 ebook written by kenneth t. The organization reached its peak, not during reconstruction in the south, but during the 1920s, when its. Throughout this time period, immigration, fear of radicalism, and a revolution in morals and manners fanned anxiety in large parts of the country. The ku klux klan rose to prominence in politics and society after world war i. The ku klux klan article about the ku klux klan by the. History course at ohio state university in the spring of 2015.
The first began violence against african americans in the south during the reconstruction era of the 1860s, and was disbanded by 1869. The ku klux klan, dormant since the late 1800s, was revived in part to counteract the economic gains made by african. Knights of the ku klux klan klansmans manual balder ex. The name of the ku klux klan was derived from the greek word kyklos, meaning circle, and the scottishgaelic word clan, which was probably chosen for the sake of alliteration. The kkk is a group that has used violence and actions above the law to support their cause.
The second coming of the kkk explores the largely forgotten. The klan has existed in three distinct eras at different points in time during the history of the united states. The anxiety created by the threat to traditional american values peaked after world war one. Morely served as governor of colorado from 1925 to 1927, and was known as the ku klux klan governor during the political peak of the klan in the 1920s. The most complete set of klan minutes ever uncovered, these documents illustrate the inner workings of a klan chapter of more than three hundred members at a time when the national membership reached into the millions and the invisible empire was at the peak of. Roman catholics, jews, african americans, and foreigners were only the most obvious targets of the klan s fearmongering. During the first half of the 1920s, the klan, which had previously been associated with the south, came to thoroughly. The resurgence of the new ku klux klan was led by william j. The ku klux klan rally in kingston spectres of kingstons past.
Political cartoons on the ku klux klan, 19211928 16 pdf. The klan rides again roy rosenzweig center for history and. The first ku klux klan was an organization that thrived in the south during the reconstruction reconstruction, 186577, in u. The ku klux klan, born in 1865, had nearly died out until hollywood resurrected it in 1915. The ku klux klan the ku klux klan throughout the history. I cant help but hear this in a whispered southern accent. This klan is composed of a group of men who want white supremacy for the united states. To provide an overview of the 1920s klan, this collection offers contemporary commentary from newspapers, magazines, klan and anti klan publications, novels, political cartoons, and a sociological study. A history of racism and violence ku klux klan a history of racism and violence compiled by the staff of the klanwatch project of the southern poverty law center ku klux klan a history of racism and violence compiled by the staff of the klanwatch project of the southern poverty law center sixth edition th e s o u th e r n p o v e r t y l a w c e nt e r, m ont g o m e r y, a l a. The rise and fall of the 1920s ku klux klan ehistory. In response, some americans during the 1920s sought to restrict certain kinds of immigrants while others resurrected the ku klux klan and similar protective organizations. Ku klux klan members in united states politics wikipedia. The klan was the biggest social movement of the early twentieth century, one whose ideas echo again today, writes new york university historian linda gordon in her startling new book.
Congress countered the kkk with the force acts and the ku klux. Earnest study and diligent use of this manual should make for larger intelligence concerning klanluaft among klansmen, and greater efficiency among the klans of the nation. The klan of the 1920s, less violent but far more widespread, is a different story, and offers some chilling comparisons to the present day. Since 1865, the ku klux klan has provided a vehicle for this kind of hatred in america, and its members have been responsible for atrocities that are difficult for most people to even imagine. These were the sights of the ku klux klan or kkk in the 1950s and 1960s. Nativism and fundamentalism in the 1920s article khan. Roman catholics, jews, african americans, and foreigners were only the most obvious targets of the klans fearmongering. Ku klux klan medals the ku klux klan first appeared in alabama following the civil war, when many confederate veterans and democratic party supporters formed the group to oppose the extension of citizenship and voting rights among former slaves and to end republican party control of the state government. Indiana press reaction to the ku klux klan in the 1920s. Indiana university professor james madison talked about the ku klux klan kkk of the 1920s, which was made up of white protestants from different social economic levels that were drawn together. National humanities center the twenties in contemporary commentary. The ku klux klan is the longest existing extremist group in the united states.
Feb 14, 2016 up until 1927, the only other reference i can find to the ku klux klan in kingston newspapers is an article from april 1868, in the kingston daily news. Professor james madison showed pictures and artifacts in the collection of the indiana historical society in indianapolis, indiana, as he talked. They will be able to identify the origins of the kkk in the aftermath of the civil war and its second incarnation in 1915 amid a wave of christian evangelism and. It has moved through three distinctive phases of development.
The washington state klan during the 1920s was part of the second of three waves of kkk activity in america. They would help citizens, one of whom was reported in the franklin view, a nashville paper as follows. If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the ku klux klan in the city, 19151930. This hate group disbanded during the early 1870s and remained inactive until 1915, when. The ku klux klan of the 1920s historians for peace. Influence of the 1920s kkk on politics and culture c. In the rare prosecution, the vigilantes were almost always acquitted. All day long i have listened to heartrending stories of women evicted from their homes by the coal companies. In september 1925 it published two defining essays on the klan by the klans national leaders and by a maine antiklan statesman. The ku klux klan 2 the forum, a magazine published in new york city, regularly published invited essays on controversial issues of the day. The ku klux klan 3 the dallas county citizens league was organized april 4, 1922, by a mass meeting of five thousand citizens held in the municipal auditorium on the street on which it faces.
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