Ku Klux Klan

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Ku Klux Klan
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Ku Klux Klan

• Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is the name of an
  organization in the United States that advocates
  white supremacy, anti- Semitism,
  anti-Catholicism, and racism.

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Ku Klux Klan

• The KKK has often used terrorism, violence,
  and acts of intimidation, such as cross burning
  and lynching, to oppress African Americans and
  other social or ethnic groups.

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History
Reconstruction (1863/1865-1877) was the attempt
by the federal government of the United States to
resolve the issues of the American Civil War
(1861-1865) after the Confederacy was defeated
and slavery ended.
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History
After reconstruction, the government attempted
to help African Americans find employment, and
improve educational and health facilities.
In response, the Klan attempted to curb black
education, economic advancement, voting rights,
and the right to bear arms.
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History

• Freedom for slaves represented for many white
  Southerners a bitter defeat a defeat not only of
  their armies, but of their economic and social
  way of life.

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Membership
Membership in the Klan was secret. Members wore
white robes and hoods to hide their identity.
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Membership

• The KKK was first organized in Tennessee, and
  spread to every state in the South and included
  mayors, judges, and sheriffs, as well as
  criminals.

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Membership

• While the menace of the KKK has peaked and
  waned over the years, it has never vanished.
• The KKK continues today as a small
  organization that continues to stage
  demonstrations in favor of white supremacy.

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Membership over the Years
YEAR MEMBERSHIP 1920
4,000,000 1924
6,000,000 1930
30,000 1980
5,000 2006
3,000
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Take a Quiz
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KKK Quiz
Question 1 The leader of the KKK was called
Grand Wizard.
TRUE FALSE
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TRUELesser officers were given such names as
Grand Dragon, Grand Titan, and Grand
Cyclops.
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KKK Quiz
Question 2 In 1871, Congress passed the Force
Bill giving the federal government the power to
prosecute the Klan.
TRUE FALSE
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TRUESince local law enforcement officials were
unable or unwilling to stop the Klan, Congress
passed this bill. However, relatively few people
were punished.
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KKK Quiz
Question 3 Eleanor Roosevelt became profoundly
aware of the injustices suffered by African
Americans.
TRUE FALSE
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TRUEShe began to speak out publicly on behalf of
blacks and against race prejudice. As a result,
for the first time since Reconstruction, the
federal government actively supported blacks and
made a concerted effort to incorporate them into
the mainstream of American life.
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KKK Quiz
Question 4 By 1944, the KKK had lost most of
its members and influence.
TRUE FALSE
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TRUEThe organization was weakened by
disagreements among the leaders and because of
public criticism of Klan violence.
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End