The KKK Flashcards
How many members did the KKK have in the US during the 1920s, and what did they stand for?
The KKK had 4 million members and wanted America to stay WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). They hated many groups including Blacks, Jews, immigrants, Catholics, Communists, atheists, homosexuals, and any changes in the US.
What slogan did the KKK use and where were they located?
The KKK used the slogan “America for the Americans,” carried the US flag, and were located all over the US, not just in the South.
What actions did the KKK take to influence immigration policy?
The KKK pressured Congress to require literacy tests for immigrants at Ellis Island by 1917 and to pass the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely limited immigrants from southern and eastern Europe to 2% of the current ethnic group population.
What was the result of race riots in the North, and what was the worst incident?
Race riots in the North, exacerbated by the Great Migration and recession after WWI, led whites to blame Blacks. The worst incident was the Tulsa Massacre, also known as “Black Wall Street,” where over 400 African Americans were killed by whites and the town was burned down.
What led to the decline of the KKK after their rise in the 1920s?
The KKK fell apart after their Grand Dragon was involved in the rape, kidnapping, and suicide of a young lady (his secretary).
From which regions did immigration begin, and what were the conditions for these immigrants?
Immigration began from Mexico, Central America, Canada, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines. There were no limitations, but these immigrants could be deported more easily than Europeans after harvest. Most of these immigrants were Catholic, so there was less chance of them being communists.
What was the impact of the Great Depression on immigration to the US?
By 1931, more people were leaving the US than coming to it due to the Great Depression.
What was Prohibition, and what legislation enforced it?
Prohibition was the 18th Amendment, enforced by the Volstead Act, which forced illegal alcohol underground to gangsters.
What were speakeasies and bootleggers?
Speakeasies were secret nightclubs that sold booze, and bootleggers were people who illegally made and smuggled alcohol.
Why was Prohibition hard to enforce?
Prohibition was hard to enforce because all ethnic groups in the US drank, and there was too much demand for alcohol.
What were some positives of Prohibition?
Positives included less time missed at work, increased production levels, fewer car accidents, and Americans drinking after work.
What were some negatives of Prohibition?
Negatives included gangsters taking over the alcohol market, increased killings between rival gangs, and non-regulated alcohol (moonshine) killing or blinding many people.
