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Creation of Ku Klux Klan
Confederate veterans from Pulaski, Tennessee banded together to create the KKK as the South was being reconstructed post Civil War. The members created the group in order to protest or reverse the "Reconstruction" era that was being conducted by the federal government. They especially focused on being against policies that supported African Americans. This event began the start of major hate crimes against African Americans and distraught within the nation. -
Group Begins to Grow
The KKK begins to expand with members from all throughout the South including members from Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, etc. They transition from a more secretive group to public group. The KKK gives threats to those who threaten the group and also blacks, participate in raids and murders. -
"Organization and Principles
The KKK publishes their "Organization and Principles" that are made up of supporting the South/Confederacy and establish white supremacy. The public release of it caused a strong surge of followers that believed in white supremacy. This made the KKK have their own "government" with its own laws. -
The Third Force Act
The Third Force Act, also known as The Klan Act, was established in 1871, allows president Ulysses S. Grant to take action to terrorist organizations. This Act was directed towards the KKK and it allowed the government to take military action towards the group. This was a major event in government history because it allowed the president to dismiss habeas corpus, which forces those under arrest must be able to go to a judge. -
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Ending of KKK
Since the Klan Act had been passed, many members were sent to trial and prosecuted. This caused a silencing and disappearance of the Ku Klux Klan for the rest of the 1800s and beginning of 1900s. -
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The KKK in the 20s
During the 20s for the KKK, the group began to expand their platform from White Supremacy to Anti-Catholicism, Prohibition, Anti-Communism, etc. Because of the expansion, many members joined the KKK. Later in 1925, D.C. Stephenson, an Indiana leader was charger of murder. This caused a ripple of fear throughout Klan members, causing the group slowly to lessen. Largely the Klan disappears but remains operating in the South. -
Robert C. Byrd Elected
Robert C. Bryd was elected as the local chapter of KKK in West Virginia and because of his involvement, he became more popular and state government. He later was appointed as a U.S. senate after leaving the KKK. Bryd being involved in state and federal government is significant because he could have an extremely biased opinion that could really damage the U.S. because of his loyalty to the KKK. -
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Hate Crimes and Murders Committed by KKK
Throughout the late 1900s and early 2000s, many murders and hate crimes were committed such as, shooting blacks, bombing black churches, blacks abducted and tortured, etc. As the years progress, whites and KKK members visibly are sentenced to prison more often and ¨get away¨ with less and less. KKK members slowly weed out of local governments and the group shrinks as the years go by. By the 2000s, the KKK is more seen as a hate group that must be stopped than a desirable group to join. -
First High Profile Murder of KKK
KKK members threw a firebomb into the home of black teacher whom founded the NAACP chapter in Florida, Harry T. Moore, resulting in he and his wife being killed. This event was significant because it was the first high profile murder the Klan conducted. -
Killing of Civil Rights Activists
The KKK murdered the Civil Rights Activists Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner. This displays the ultimate opinion of the KKK. That the KKK is against any change with black and white relationships and any advantages that blacks may receive in the world. -
KKK Today
Today, the KKK has an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 members. Although the Klan has shrunk over the years, the group still creates public threats and is still a feared group by many.
