FEATURED ESSAYS 1. Ku Klux Klan 2 2. Kkk 2 3. KKK 4. The History Of The Ku Klux Klan 5. The Klan Unmasked 6. Ku Klux Klan 7. Nathan Bedford Forrest 8. Kkk 9. The History Of The Ku Klux Klan 10. Ku Klux Klan - The History 11. Ku Klux Klan The History Of 12. Ku Klux Klan 13. Kkk 3 14. The History Of The Ku Klux Klan

The History of the Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is one of America's oldest and most feared groups.
Driven by the dream of a world with only one master race, the KKK often
uses violence and moves above the law to promote their cause. They didn't
start of violent, or to promote white supremacy. They have been in the
shadows for over 130 years and continue to thrive in America's society
today.

The Ku Klux Klan began almost accidentally during the reconstruction period
after the civil war in the Southern United States. The southern people had
suffered greatly from the effects of the great war. Many of them lost their
homes and plantations.  Many also lost friends and loved ones to the war.
The people needed a release from the sorrow of everyday life.

In 1865, six men from a small town in Tennessee accidentally began what has
grown to be the largest and most feared "hate group" in the country. The
men decided to make a club to help release the stress of the times. The men
were all poor and could not afford to make gowns or great costumes for the
group, so they decided to use linens. They wore the linens over their backs
and put pillowcases on their heads. They also draped the linens over their
horses. The Ku Klux Klan was going to ride for the first time.  In the
beginning, the men wanted to do nothing more than play pranks on people. 
However, the people were more frightened than they were cheered up. They
soon realized what they could do with these fear tactics. The South had
turned into a place that was no longer theirs. The slaves were now free
(many of these men were slave owners) and carpetbaggers were coming from
the North to take advantage of the southern people.  They saw the
opportunity to set back the South to what it had been. The KKK soon began
to ride through political rallies of the carpetbaggers. People often fled
the rallies out of fear. Word quickly spread across the South about these
masked men. Many people loved the idea and wanted to be involved. The Klan
quickly grew. A leader was soon needed to control the large group. Their
first choice was Southern General Robert E. Lee. Although he supported the
group and its cause,  he was very ill and could not handle the task. Their
next choice was a man named Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Forrest, although he wasn't as well known as General Lee, he was a great
leader. He was born in Mississippi and owned a plantation. He fought for
the confederate army for a long time before they recognized his abilities.
Although he didn't arrive early enough to greatly impact the war, he gained
the respect of the top confederate leaders. After the war he was infuriated
by the carpetbaggers and needed a way to fight back. He saw the Ku Klux
Klan as a way to do it.

He was quickly accepted as the "Grand Wizard". He had absolute power over
the Klan members. The men were eager to do what he said, they trusted him.
Many of the men were in need of a sense of belonging.  The KKK gave them
this. The Klan was very secretive, all of the members were safe from people
knowing their real identities (if that was their wish). Because of this
secrecy, they gained the alternate name of "The Invisible Empire".

The Klan really began to take control in the year of 1868. They vowed to
rid the south of  carpetbaggers, blacks and any person who supported them.
They stole the oppositions goods, beat them and even killed them. These
murders were known as "lynching". They would drag the person to the center
of the town and hang them in front of everyone. This method was very
effective, people feared it would happen to themselves if they had anything
to do with the carpetbaggers or blacks.

After the U.S. government removed troops from the South in the late 1800's,
the Klan achieved its goal. Many of the groups disbanded and Forrest left.
After the turn of the century, it started again. This time the goal was
much larger, freeing America of all non white, Christian Americans. This is
the Ku Klux Klan we know today.  The new breed of Klan differed from the
old version in many ways. The old Klan wanted to set things back to the old
ways. They wanted their freedom back and wanted nothing more. Being
prejudice was only an effect. In the eyes of the modern KKK, prejudice was
the cause. The new Klan was far more violent. People were tarred and
feathered, lynched, and beaten for little reason more than being a certain
race, nationality or religion.

In the 1920's, the KKK prospered. Unlike previous revivals, the members
were in more than just the South. The Klan was spread all across the
country. Many towns were also secretly run by the Klan. They elected many
officials. Town justices couldn't seem to convict accused members for
anything.  Their power was stronger than the law and wrath of the hooded
was for more frightening than jail. However, in the late 1920's, many
politicians who once remained quiet spoke out and fought against the Klan.
This was their downfall.

The Klan hasn't been as powerful since that time. For the past 50 years, it
has had many rebirths and falls. During the times of the World Wars, they
used their patriotism appeal to gain peoples trust. The Klan was also much
different in its organization than previous rebirths. The new KKK are
separated into many small organizations. There are many internal struggles,
most divisions claim to be original descendants and follow the old ways.
This is never true.

In the past few years with the birth of at home Internet service, the Klan
has found a way to push its propaganda into homes across the country. All
of these sites seem to have the same things in common. They contain
information that undermines other races and religions. A majority of these
sites also appeal to adolescents, teenagers and younger children by
boasting such slogans as "Cool Hate Music." Cartoons are also found on many
pages. These cartoons demonstrate the "enemy" races in displeasing
situations that often elaborate the points and views of the KKK.

In the end, the KKK is a problem that won't go away for long. As we have
seen, the KKK will be active for a period and then disappear. As long as
there is differences between people in this world, there will always be
hate. And the Ku Klux Klan will be there to feed on this hate and exploit
it in every way possible. They may be silent for many years, but you can
count on the fact that they are there. They are "The Invisible Empire" and
will always be the dark