Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
First revival of KKK 1915
"The Birth of a Nation" reinforced idea of white supremacy
1920 membership of KKK
100,000
reasons for lack of action against KKK
Federal Government seen as interfering + politicans would lose votes (some members of KKK)
KKK first decline following 1870
Federal Grand Jury defined KKK as terrorist organisation
1921 Chris Lochan
Greek restaurant owner run out of town
1920s leader of KKK
Hiram Wesley Evans (dentist)
name of KKK leader
Imperial Wizard
growth of KKK due to 3 reasons
Industrialisation/immigrants from S+E Europe + Great migration/arming of black soldiers in WW1
Title of officers of KKK
Klaliffs/Kluds/Klabees
which 2 state governors were KKK members?
Oregon + Oklahoma
Main area of membership
Southern States
KKK member groups
WASPs- perceived to be superior to other races
peak membership 1925
allegedly >5M
during night time meetings KKK would:
carry American flags and light burning crosses
Targets of KKK
communists, blacks, jews, catholics + foreigners
Grand Dragon David Stephenson
convicted of rape + mutilation of woman on train. refused pardoning by Governor of Indiana
William J. Simmons
founder of the second KKK
list of KKK activities
lynchings/mutilation/beatings/tar and feathers
George Arnwood 1933
mentally disabled black man accused of assaulting 82 year old white woman. beaten to death, dragged through town + body set alight. watched by police.
Grand Dragon David Stephenson contribution to decline of KKK
political scandal destroyed his reputation. produced incriminating evidence of illegal KKK activities- discredited Klan.
set up of KKK 1860s
soldiers who had fought in the civil war.
Aim of KKK
terrorise newly freed slaves
Appearance of KKK members
uniform of white sheets + hoods to conceal their identity
Labour Tensions post WW1
veterans attempted to enter work force- compete with immigrants
white sheets symbolic of ...?
white supremacy