Ku Klux Klan
Tyler Schmidt
How it started?
The Ku Klux Klan or the KKK was formed in 1866 by Confederate veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee. Part of the name of the Klan came from the Greek word "kyklos," meaning Circle. In the summer of 1867, local branches met and decided the leader would be Nathan Bedford Forrest. He was the first "Grand wizard" of the Klan. From this point on, violence errupted in the south with African Americans.
Beliefs and Actions
The KKK's main goal was to turn American into a "White country." This meant they wanted to limit the African American's rights and slowly try to get rid of them. After the Civil war, they wanted to limit African American's rights they had since they were free. They would dress up in white costumes like ghosts and scare African Americans. The KKK also carried out attacks at night by burning down African American schools, businesses and churches. Sometimes they threatened to Lynch, or hang African Americans without trial. The KKK not only did this to African Americans, But to immigrants too, who were mostly Jews.
The KKK symbol
This sign represented the burning of the cross. This was a ceremony they often had to show their hatred towards different religions.
The KKK Uniforms
The Ku Klux Klan would wear these costumes to look like ghosts and terrorize African Americans.
KKK Political cartoon
This cartoon shows a KKK member and a white southerner who both hated African Americans. They are joining hands on a Skull which means they are working together. Their are African Americans under the skull which represents death.
The Ku Klux Klan Today
Now in days, The Ku Klux Klan still exists. They will once in a while have a rally in our area. They are not as violent as they were around the Civil war period, but still share their beliefs. Another difference they have is they are against more religions and people. They are against Jews, African Americans, homosexuals, and newly, Catholics. They are in a world of their own and are trying to get more political power in our country. Finally, The KKK still has ceremonial events like the Burning of the cross. They would take a large wooden cross light it on fire and stand in a circle and hold hands. This symbolized the hate they had against other religions and that they were in their own power.
My Reaction
My reaction is terrified and and annoyed. I am terrified after the things I researched on how they treat people who are different from them. It makes me angry that most KKK leaders in the 1860's didn't get punished for what they did to African Americans. They never got caught for what they did. Also, I am annoyed at them because they hate pretty much anyone who is different from them and treat them like they are nothing. People are born the way they are and it is not fair for them to go kill random people because of their religion, race, or sexuality.
Work cited
Dallek, Robert. American History. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2008. Print.
"Ku Klux Klan: A History of Violence." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Ku Klux Klan- History." ADL. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2015.
"Ku Klux Klan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Southern Poverty Law Center." Ku Klux Klan. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.