White Terrorism: The Ku Klux Klan

How did the Klan begin?

Began December 1865 by six former confederate officers in Pulaski, Tennessee.

Called their group “Ku Klux” Greek word kyklos meaning “circle.”

Within two years very powerful in South-attempted to keep blacks powerless (socially and politically).

Nathan Bedford Forrest

Remember this guy? He fought in the Civil War for the South…

During Reconstruction, he was a member of the white supremacy group know as the Ku Klux Klan.

How white terrorism worked…

500,000 members; strong, but membership was illegal.

Wore disguises, spoke secret language… “Ayak?” (are you a

klansmen?) “Akia” AK(lansman I a(m).

A burning cross was the KKK’s symbol. It was all about creating terror to control African

Americans socially and politically.

Lynchings were done to make an example out of African Americans who were active

politically, or weren’t staying “in their place.”

"The Agony of Lynching" by Laurence Foy.

Block print originally published in the 1920s.

“What were Mitchell and Coleman and Gladney whipped for?”

“I don’t know. They said it was because they had land. They had got too big. They say when you get land or a mule or a horse to set on, they wanted to kill you out for getting above your business. Or they want to drive you away.”

-Testimony 1872

The “true” Americans…

The Klan became popular again during the 1920’s because of xenophobia, or fear of foreigners following WWI.

Thought blacks and foreigners would take “true American’s” jobs/overthrow the government.

Thus, the Klan terrorized anyone that was not “American” (white and protestant.)

A popular book during the 1920’s glorifying the KKK.

How is this poster Klan

propaganda?

The Klan remained active beyond Reconstruction…

Klansmen whipped blacks in the 1940’s and bombed synagogues in the 1950. In 1965 four Klansmen shot

Viola Liuzzo, a white civil rights worker.

The Klan was politically active in Oregon.

Helped pass a bill that made Catholic schools illegal in Oregon.

Before statehood in March 1844, a law was passed forbidding the residence of negroes in Oregon (repealed the following year.) All slaves brought must be removed in three years.Freed black and mulattoes had two years.

1900 1105 black in Oregon, also a few Chinese and Japanese. 1920 Luther Powell came from Missouri to Oregon to promote

KKK. 1921 July 150 KKK members. 110 march on Ashland Fourth of

July parade. 1921-1925 There are 58 Klan chapters in Oregon. 1922 Portland: Rev Sawyer says: “Jews are bolshevists who

want to control Christians and start a revolution.” 1923 Anti-alien land bill. Prohibite foreigners to own land in

Oregon. 192-25 Oregon 100% directory-blacklisted non-Klan

merchants.

The Klan in Oregon

The KKK marches in the Boatnik Parade, Grants Pass Oregon: 1928

March 14, 1921 necktie party for George S. Burr. Escorted to California and told never to return.

March 1922 necktie party for J.F. Hale, black piano salesman and bond merchant.

April 1922 Henry Johnson of Jacksonville was kidnapped at gunpoint, accused of beng a chicken thief, called a negro and threatened with tar and feathers.

July 1922 Attorney General sent to Medford to investigate Klan approved judge.

April 1922 Henry Johnson of Jacksonville was kidnapped at gunpoint, accused of being a chicken thief, called a negro and threatened with tar and feathers.

July 1922 Attorney General sent to Medford to investigate Klan approved judge.

The Klan remains active today…

Membership in several small groups total 10,500:

United Klans of America: Alabama, 4000 members.

Invisible Empire, Knights of the KKK: Louisiana, 2500 members.

Knights of the Ku Klux Klan: Louisiana, 2000 members.

Confederation of Independent Orders of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the KKK: Indiana, 1500 members. Mississippi White Knights

Graphic Organizer Read pages 318-319 textbook

Outside of organizer:

The End of Reconstruction

Graphic

year

Inside of graphic organizer(Read pages 318-319 textbook)

White terrorism Enforcement Acts

# of acts What they did How enforced?

Amnesty Act of 1872 What it was? Result?

Disputed Election of 1876 Democrat (# of electoral votes) Republic (# of electoral votes) Who won the popular vote?

Compromise of 1877 What was the compromise? Result?

Homework:

The Compromise of 1877 Worksheet.

Due tomorrow