THE KKK IN THE 1920S

What does Shawn Lay argue?

"Over the past thirty years, historians and other scholars have drastically revised this original assessment of the Klan" "This recent body of work suggests that the KKK was much more of a mainstream organisation than was once believed and that Klansmen; although assuredly racist and bigoted, were average citizens in the context of the times"

What does Nancy Maclean argue?

"The Klan's conservative ideology was a deeply gendered phenomenon" "The appeal of this politics was deeply rooted in American society and culture" Slavery had shaped the South's economy 1920s Klan members seen as the finest members of society "ONE HAS TO GIVE UP THE NOTION OF THE ESSENTIAL OTHERNESS OF THE KIND OF MEN ATTRACTED TO IT"

When was the emergence of the 1920s- was this the Klan's first emergence?

1916- 2nd wave of the klan

What did the KKK want to prevent with women?

Attempt to regain control of women- the end of flappers- wanted to prevent this

When was the Klan more violent?

Early-mid 1920s

What were the 1920s KKK's goals and principles?

Eugenics, keeping white people pure, to keep everyone American white and protestant. Fear of interracial relationships- keeping blood white and 'pure' Idea that black men were raping white women and damaging the white race Patriotic- wanted to keep the constitution Anti-communist and anti-Semitic and Anti-roman catholic Catholicism seen as the religion of foreigners Promote law and order Supposed to be keeping American safe and 'stopping violence'

Why did people join the Klan?

Gave people a sense of community on a time of change

WHAT ARGuMENTS COULD YOU USED TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN EXTREMIST ORGANISATION?

IDEAS WERE FUNDAMENTALLY LINKED TO WHITE SUPREMACY WAS A VIOLENT ORGANISATION AT ITS CORE ANTI MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS E.G. CATHOLICS EXTREME IDEAS- ONLY WHITE AND PROTESTANT PEOPLE WERE SUPERIOR PEOPLE REMAIN PART OF THE KLAN EVEN WITH ALL THE EXTREME ACTS THAT OCURED FOUNDED OFF 'THE BIRTH OF A NATION'- RACIST FILM

What did it mean to be a klansman?

Supposed to support their fellow klansmen e.g. section in a Klan list of requirements that said that if a house becomes available then you have to recommend it to a fellow klansman Patriotism at the heart of everything you do Loyalty to the white race Family values Maintain gender roles

What does David Bennet argue?

The KKK was "America's right-wing subcultured"

What financial issues did the KKK face?

Try to not pay tax and claim that they are a charity- lose money for this

How did the KKK understand Americanism?

Wanted to keep America white, saw Americanism as the opposite of immigration Try to sound inclusive but with very strict parameters

Who founded the 1920s Klan and what inspired it?

William Simmons- inspired by the film 'The Birth of a Nation'

What did Moore and Mclean argue about the Klan in the 1920s being a social movement?

argue that 20th century Georgia's middling men white collar workers, small business men, skilled tradesmen, and yeoman farmers felt increasingly threatened by the consolidation of the wealth at the top of the socioeconomic hierarchy and by proletarian unrest at the bottom. The Klan was a product of reactionary populism.

Who was Stevenson?

raped and murdered a teenage girl- was a leader for the Klan in Indiana- sent to prison

What does Moore argue about the Klan being a social movement?

the Klan received so much support due to them stressing over everyday concerns, something people could relate to and turn to. For example, improved law enforcements, better public schools, reform and the preservation of traditional values

What did the Klan feel about prohibition?

Opposed alcohol and gambling

To what extent was the maintenance of white supremacy at the forefront of klan ideology in the 1920s?

Part of the Klan's ideology- but not just about whiteness- also about religion People were looking for a scapegoat and a strong organisation to keep law and order They adopted the language of anticommunism- this was popular at the time- tie in white supremacy to national interests

Why did people have to pay to be part of the Klan?

People had to pay for membership fee, have to pay for costume etc.

WAS THE 19920S KLAN A 'SOCIAL MOVEMENT' OR AN 'EXTREMIST ORGANISATION'?

SOCIAL MOVEMENT WITH EXTREMIST VIEWS AND ACTIONS: NOT JUST AN EXTREME SET OF PEOPLE- POPULAR MOVEMENT- AT ITS PEAK IN THE 1920S, THE ORGANISATION CLAIMED TO INCLUDE ABOUT 15% OF AMERICA'S ELIGIBLE POPULATION- 4-5 MILLION MEN THEY ALSO REPRESENTED SOCIAL PROBLEMS UNIFORM MOVEMENT IN BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH DID NOT ACTIVELY PROMOTE VIOLENCE- SUPPOSED TO BE PREVENTING IT KLAN HAD DIFFERENT PURPOSES IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES COLORADO- PREDOMINANTLY WHITE AREA BUT STILL HAD A POPULAR KLAN AS ITS AIM WAS THE REMOVE CORRUPT POLITICIANS FROM OFFICE KLAN FED INTO POPULAR OPINIONS DUE TO ECONOMIC SITUATION

What does Leonard J. Moore argue?

Says historians between 1955 and 1960 were wrong about the 1920s Klan It was appealing to a large number of Americans and addressed a broad spectrum of interests and concerns"