First founded as a non-violent, white supremacy group by six Confederate veterans, their plans for the Ku Klux Klan were not malicious but rather just to remain as a secret fraternity group. However, as their influence and power grew along with the size of their members, the Klan became a terrorist organization, inciting fear within those they excluded.
The growth of the Klan can almost be attributed to one factor: the recruitment former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's. He was the one whose troops, at Fort Pillow, murdered hundreds of surrendering black troops during the Civil War. The KKK spread beyond it's founding birthplace of Tennessee to almost every Southern state and attracted people from all backgrounds, including governors, planters, and even criminals. They were identified by a trademark white robe and tall, pointed white hats which covered their faces and their identity. And they all shared one common belief, that the South ought to be restored to its former "glory" during the antebellum period, with blacks in their "rightful" place under the control of their white masters.
The sought to ratify this belief through a series of lynchings, murders, and outright acts of terror in order to send a message to the black populations, stating that they were entitled to nothing, not even a sense of safety in their own homes. Klansmen burned down churches and schools, publicly executed blacks, drove them off their own land, and whipped those who refused to work for whites. Freedmen lived in constant fear of these acts of violence, knowing that the smallest thing could incite them, like having a book in their homes or for not stepping off the sidewalk to allow whites to pass. All of this was conducted under the "blind" eye of the governments, as state and federal governments in the South had members of the Klan along them.
However, not all states turned a blind eye against the blatant racist actions of the KKK. In Tennessee and Arkansas, Klansmen were arrested and executed for their crimes if proven guilty. In Texas, Governor Edmund Davis created a police force consisting of both whites and blacks, and they made over 6,000 arrests of Klan members. In North and South Carolina, armed groups fought or threatened Klansmen, stopping them from committing more violence. Finally, the federal government passed the Enforcement Acts of 1870 and 1871, effectively ending Klan activity by 1872 until it was brought back in 1915.
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_kkk.html
Julia, your post was very helpful in explaining how the KKK started, the actions the group took, and the government's response. One thing I found particularly interesting was how the Klan was not created with the intent of harming blacks. What might have caused this drastic change in the KKK and led them to start taking violent actions? Also, it was intriguing how some Southern states attempted to stop the KKK while others simply let them do whatever they want. What were the major differences between these states which caused their different responses?
ReplyDeleteJulia - This brief history of the Ku Klux Klan was very detailed and provided a great description of the roots of such organizations that we see so often in modern day United States. I especially liked how you mentioned that the KKK organization was not simply overlooked, specific action was taken to bring justice their actions. What is so unfortunate is how a US News reported that the KKK "saw a boost in its membership in 2017" which actually now consists of "more than half of today's Klans formed in the last three years". What is the influence of this group on modern politics and is the government doing anything to address their actions? Our focus is on foreign terrorist groups but is that because the KKK hasn't done anything as drastic as 9/11? Donald Trump has mentioned that groups such as the KKK should be eradicated but with their increasing association with Neo Nazis, has this organization gone too far? Would the US be going against the fundamental rights of "freedom of speech"?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-08-14/the-kkk-is-still-based-in-22-states-in-the-us-in-2017
Julia, your post was very interesting to gain insight as to how the KKK was founded, and how it has evolved throughout the years. However, it is interesting to also examine the political factors that led to the movement of some KKK groups, and why they are still around. First of all, the KKK is still present in 22 states, and it is interesting to examine how they are able to effectively operate in those states. In a day and age where people are more restrictive on racist action, it is interesting to see how the KKK has become more decentralized from the Deep South as a way to avoid the persecution of the government. In addition, it is interesting to think about the way that the KKK operates. Not all of the groups are violent groups, while a fair amount are. So, what is the best way for the government to condemn the groups? Would the same method have to be used against all groups with the same ideology? Is legislature passage the best way to go?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-08-14/the-kkk-is-still-based-in-22-states-in-the-us-in-2017