Was the KKK Successful?

Essay by sandra_j21University, Bachelor'sA-, April 2004

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The Ku Klux Klan or KKK is one of America's oldest and most feared groups. Driven by the dream of a world with only one master race, the KKK often uses violence and takes the law into their own hands in order to promote their cause. The Ku Klux Klan is a secret society based on hatred and violence. The Klan claims that it stands for only law-abiding rallies and activities, but the Klan has been known for having hypocritical views throughout its existence. No matter where the Klan is headed, violence is sure to follow. However one question remains, was the Ku Klux Klan successful?

Many people may think that the Ku Klux Klan was not successful because of the fact that they were a group of thugs, who coerced colored people in office, bullied black residents to keep them from exercising their rights guaranteed under law, and tried to renovate a way of life that brought on the Civil War, while they hid behind masks and waited to expose themselves until nighttime.

The Ku Klux Klan created a pressure, fear and hate for the African Americans among many of the southern white people. This was because the African Americans were free people and had the same rights as the white people. This angered many white people and they created groups to support their beliefs and to allow people with the same ideas to gather together and share their ideas.

The Ku Klux Klan was obviously an organization that would stop at nothing to restore white supremacy throughout the south. The KKK became the leading force behind the Democratic Party. They intimidated black voters into voting Democrat by beatings, lynching, and whippings. Black's and people who supported blacks were tortured in the most inhumane manner, many times resulting in...