Ku klux klan

Essay by mysterygirl_dangerUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, January 2007

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According to dictionary.com the Ku Klux Klan is a secret organization in the Southern U.S. and active for several years after the Civil War, which aimed to suppress the newly acquired powers of blacks and to oppose carpetbaggers from the North, and which was responsible for many lawless and violent proceedings. The Ku Klux Klan is America's oldest, most well-known hate group who confines it membership to American born white Christians and its name was originated from the English word clan and the Greek word kyklos meaning circle

The Ku Klux Klan was formed during the 19th century and originally formed in Puluski, Tennessee in December 1865, during the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War. 'The Ku Klux Klan started as an underground terrorist group against the Civil Rights Movement that freed slaves after the American Civil War"( Ku Klux Klan 2006). They oppose blacks, Jews and minority groups.

They wore long white robes and white hoods. They burn crosses to frightened people who were not members at their outdoor meetings. They had four periods during their time, 1860's-1870, 1915-1944, the late 1940's to mid-1970 and since then (Ku Klux Klan 006)

How do they view themselves?

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) defines themselves, according to www.kukluxklan.org as a political party that they also call the White Rights Movement. Their foundation is that by trying to join and mix ethnicities and race, whites are facing discrimination. Whites, according to them are giving up their lives in a sacrificial manner for those non-whites. They infer that older generations were oppressed by liberal thinkers (also referred to as communists) limiting our ability and our right to indulge and enjoy white pride. They also believe that this country was founded as a white, Christian nation and should be brought back to it.