KU KLUX KLAN

The Three Dimensions of the Ku Klux Klan



Abstract

If we wish to take an example of racism, hatred, violence, extremism, crime, and terrorism from the pages of history of our country, the only common name in all these activities is Ku Klux Klan. Originated initially as a social club, KKK became an extremist secret society in United States. In a way, they are American Nazis. Only difference was their doctrine was mainly based on White Christianity. History tells us that in 19th Century they first emerged to fight against the Black and sympathetic white who were supporting the voting rights for Black. The list of their political ideologies was long which includes Sgregationism, White supremacy, White nationalism, Nativism, Christian terrorism, Neo-Confederate, Neo-fascism, Anti-semitism, Anti-Catholicism. They used all violent means to hinder the civil movement of 19th Century. The list of murderous activities is long. It includes, murdering, harassing, threatening, intimidating, and bombing and so on. Broadly, we can categorize the incarnations of the Klan in to three dimensions. In each dimension, the Klan achieved its purposes and then vanished into oblivion. Many scholars have written long scripts about the brutal deeds of the Klan.

2nd Klan achieved what the other two dimensions of Klan were unable to accomplish i.e., National appeal. Their following multiplied to millions in the name of national spirit; but even the 2nd Klan maintained the tradition of hatred and violence. 3rd dimension of Klan emerged in late 1950s and continued to exist today with the philosophies of founding members. The Klan has a nationwide presence in the form of factions with each faction acting on its own and lacks any coordination with any other factions. Each faction has its own headquarter which is located in their region. Today it is categorized as a terrorist group by all governmental and international judicial bodies. The Klan will continue to remain there to achieve their purposes.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Table of Contents3

Introduction4

Origin4

Discussion6

First dimension (1865 - 1874)6

2nd Dimension (1915 - 1944)7

3rd Dimension (1950s -Onwards)8

Conclusion10

Introduction The Ku Klux Klan, also known as KKK or simply The Klan, is the first racist organization that came to surface as the earliest terrorist group known in United States of America. It is an extremist right-wing secret society in the country (Stevenson, 2010). The primary purpose of this clan was to establish while supremacy over those whom they deem inferior classes. Among other ethnic & social groups, Blacks were their most common target. They used a variety of ways to achieve their purposes including intimidation and violence. They were also involved in many atrocious activities, like murder, harassment, intimidation, bombing, terrifying people by cross burnings and lynching. Apart from white supremacy, they were also anti-immigration, anti-communist & pro white nationalism.

Origin

May 1886 was a period marked by Reconstruction era in USA. At that time when southern states were to be reinstated into the Union, there raised many political, social and economic issues. Northern states were also playing their ...