KKK Revival

Question 1

What was the Ku Klux Klan?

Answer 1

• White, protestant, supremacist organisation
• Originally founded in 1865 after the Confederate’s defeat in Civil war
• Wears long white robes and hoods as diguise
• Did all it could to reverse the achievements of the Reconstruction era (period following civil war)

Question 2

When was Klan membership highest?

Answer 2

• In response to domestic and foreign affairs
• Time of fear and uncertainty
• Mass immigration
• Appeared that Catholics, communists, blacks, Jews (anyone who wasn’t them) were overrunning (occupying) America

Question 3

What did the KKK do in the 1920s?

Answer 3

• Branches of KK reappeared over the South
• 1920s was the peak level
• Held meetings encouraging racial hatred
• Carried out lynchings and beatings up
• Burnt fiery crosses on hillsides/outside front doors to terrify blacks
• Bombing

Question 4

When did the actions of the KKK grow more extreme in the 1950s?

Answer 4

As the civil rights movement took off and gained some success

Question 5

How did the Brown v Topeka decision impact the KKK?

Answer 5

• Klan membership increased
• Klan determination increased to resist any attempt they saw to destroy white supremacy

Question 6

How did the American society react to Klan activities?

Answer 6

• Many blacks were more determined to defy the Klan
• National and international coverage of Klan activities shocked and disgusted many, this put pressure on the Federal government to act

Question 7

How did Klan members’ positions in society affect their activities?

Answer 7

• They could get away anything
• Some were police chiefs (e.g. Bull Connor), or judges
• Could exploit their power