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Taking a Look at the Ku Klux Klan

Decent Essays

The Klu Klux Klan developed during the Reconstruction period of the United States, after the Civil War(“Ku Klux Klan”). The organization assembled as a group to intimidate newly freed slaves in the south. They focused on their anger on the government that was supporting African American rights during the “Birth of the Nation.” The only race that was presented the opportunity to join the organization was WASPs, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants(“The KKK”). The group included mayors, judges, sheriffs, as well as criminals. They used outlandish titles, hooded costumes, and violent “night rides” in order to make the Klan more popular. The Klu Klux Klan will experience several cycles of growth and collapse, and sometimes these cycles will be more extreme than others(“Ku Klux Klan—Extremism in America-About the Ku Klux Klan”).
Their primary targets were Black Americans. Additionally, they harassed, intimidated, and even killed immigrants, Jews, gays, Northern teachers, judges, and politicians(“Wormser”). While the government was beginning to prohibit slavery among black Americans, the KKK began originating to promote white supremacy. This resulted in the Klan murdering black politicians and political leaders, along with whipping, beating, raping, and castrating African Americans in order to intimidate former slaves from voting. Lynching, tar-and-feathering, raping, and other violent attacks were used on those who challenged white supremacy(“Wormser”).
Nathan Bedford Forest is

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