Ku Klux Klan
The original Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was created in 1865 by five American Civil War veterans from the Confederate South. The KKK has been active for almost two centuries; therefore, it is America's oldest terrorist group. The Klan's main focus of the first Klan was to inflict hatred and violence towards African-American and white Americans who were against slavery and helping the African-American people. They wanted to restore white supremacy.
The second KKK developed in 1915. By 1921, immigration grew and the country began to prosper; however, as the number of immigrants increased in size, the more people joined the KKK's membership due to social tension within society. More members joined from the Midwest and South. Additionally, they developed a dislike for Catholics, homosexuals, Jews, and immigrants. The Klu Klux Klan's appeal was towards white Protestants. The image for analysis will be done on the first photograph, which was taken on March 23, 1923 in Seattle, Washington of the Washington State Klan. The clan was founded in 1915 during WWI. The Klan supported "100 percent Americanism." As stated previously, they dislike Catholics, Jews, homosexuals, and immigrants. During this time, the KKK had over 4 million members throughout the entire nation. They promoted harsh immigration restriction. Members of the Klan wore white hoods with white robes. They would burn crosses, while spreading terrorism and fear throughout the nation. The second photograph displays a later picture of the KKK at one of their ceremonial gatherings. Leaders of the second KKK trained the leaders of the third KKK on how to terrorize people within African-American communities. Also, the second KKK created a foundation for the Jim Crow segregation laws. |