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The Ku Klux Klan is a terrorist organization founded in the southern states after the American civil war of 1861 – 1865. The Klan basically employed force violence, and intimidation to pursue their interests. The Klan was founded to scuttle and destroy the reconstruction Government which, according to the Klan, was hostile and oppressive. Its second agenda was to ensure that blacks remain inert, inferior and without civil rights. Furthermore, blacks were not to have positions of power. This essay focuses on the beliefs and values that caused the group to form, its development in 1920s, the role it played in the 1920s culture, and the effects of the group on modern world.
The Ku Klux Klan was formed by a group of young confederate army soldiers who were angered by the ending of the civil war which enabled the blacks to win their freedom from slavery. This victory meant that, whites lost their slaves. The six confederates decided to form this group to occupy themselves and at the same time carry out revenge against blacks for getting their freedom (Quales, 31). In addition, the whites wanted to have a secret group because they were threatened and thought that blacks would gain more power. Moreover, the Klan wanted to counter and destroy the reconstruction government since they considered it oppressive and hostile. 1920s signified rapid development for the Klan in terms of membership and activities spreading to urban cities. This period was characterized by; economic dislocation, political and social unrest that followed the First World War hence the rise of the Klan. In 1921, the group was estimated to have three million members. In 1925, however, the group lost its popularity due to poor leadership, resentment against violence, immorality and lack of issues. Come 1929, the membership dwindled only to thousands. The Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s stood for; Americanism, white supremacy, separation of church from state, protestant fundamentalism, anti- Catholicism and anti- Semitism, restoring their status quo and having a capitalist economy..
The Ku Klux Klan though often seen in a bad light played a role in shaping the American culture in the 1920s. First, The Klan did not attain its goals but made significant contributions to the culture at the time. The Klan feared modernity and therefore tried to uphold the American culture. This explains their constant rejection of the Catholics and the Jews. Second, the Klan did not want the Jews and Catholics to be prominent and in the position of power since they held a belief that, science would interfere with the moral authority of the Bible. Third, they feared for change that may be brought to American Woman because they were not sure if the “New Woman” would be willing to be subject to patriarchal authority. Lastly, they had fears of the black man rejecting white supremacy. The entire above mentioned, are composites of culture in a society and hence the Klan’s stand (McClymer).
The Ku Klux Klan has brought bout many positive effects to the modern world. To start with, the Klan unconsciously strengthened the civil rights movement. This was achieved through the Klan’s constant attacks on the civil rights workers and even murders. It is apparent that the violence meted on the civil rights workers generated public sympathy and hence the grant of racial justice (Chalmers, 31). The tolerance exhibited by the civil rights workers while fighting against racial segregation and discrimination, gives the oppressed world over the strength to fight for their rights. Furthermore, it is through the Klan that certain legislations in the constitution were upheld, for instance; the anti-mask Act. Last but not least, it is absurd that the negative effects of Ku Klux Klan still exist in the American society in the form of violence.
Deducing from its existence patterns, it is obvious that, the Ku Klux Klan is a recurrent problem that can not permanently be done away with. This group will always come in the open whenever there is a conflict within people. Whenever there is hate, it will flourish and take advantage of the opportunity presenting it self. This group may be quiet for many years but it is only waiting for the best time to sprout.
Works cited
Chalmers, David. Backfire: How the Ku Klux Klan helped the Civil Rights Movement. : Rowman and Littlefield. 2005.
McClymer. America in the 1920s. 10nth August 2005. Web.
Quales, Chester. The Ku Klux Klan and Related American Racialist and Anti-Semitic Organizations: A History and Analysis. : McFarland. 1999
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