Ku Klux Klan Research Paper

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The origin of the Ku Klux Klan can be traced back to late 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee where six Confederate veterans developed a new form of entertainment. Originally, the KKK was not intended to be a hate group, but rather a secret club founded on boredom. The six founders were scholars and derived the name “Ku Klux Klan” form the Greek word kuklos meaning “circle” representing unity for one another. The original members would ride through the streets on horseback covered in white bed sheets terrorizing locals for entertainment. The exclusiveness of the Klan soon attracted much attention. In 1887 the Klan members met in Nashville in hopes of gaining unity and a proper authority. At this time the Klan turned itself away from childish pranks and went on to use extreme violence on newly freed black slaves. This transformation occurred soon after the first Reconstruction Act of 1867, which gave black men the right to vote, it was originally vetoed but passed the very next day. As blacks gained the right to vote, they had a large influence on southern politics. The main goals of the Klan became “keep blacks from voting”, and maintain the political system that has benefited whites for decades. The Klan …show more content…
In the mid 1920’s it became a necessity for a candidate to have the favor of the Klan in order to be elected. Bib Graves was elected Governor, and Charles C. McCall was elected State Attorney General; both men were members of the Klan and had their full support. By 1924 the Klan’s endorsement was so valuable that they conducted their own primaries to decide which Klansmen or close associates would be supported. The Klan controlled everything from jobs, to votes, to political officials and police officers. The state of Alabama had over 50,000 paying members of the Klan, giving them huge voting support. Hugo Black was able to benefit from this support by being elected to the US Senate in

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