In the mid-1800s, historical advances helped to strengthen the notion of and institutionalize white supremacy. The white extremist crusade is made up of numerous organizations with different beliefs and ideologies in order to achieve their goals of white supremacy. Some Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations members identify with Christian Identity theology which originated in the mid-20th century. Christian Identity is considered a “racist and anti-semitic religious sect whose adherents believe that white people of European descent are the descendants of the “lost Tribes” of ancient Israel” (Anti-Defamation League/Christian Identity). Scholars will agree that religion plays a large part in shaping the ideologies of the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations.
Organization: …show more content…
They would wear disguises and run around town in the evenings and were surprised to learn their nightly jaunts were causing fear in the community, especially among the former slaves (Anti-Defamation League, Ku Klux Klan – History). They decided to use this to their advantage and the group quickly expanded. “Various factions formed in neighboring towns, which lead to a meeting in April 1867 to codify rules and organizational structure: (Anti-Defamation League, Ku Klux Klan – History). Between 1867 and the early 1900’s the Ku Klux Klan was known as direct threat to civil liberties as it “functioned as the unofficial paramilitary arm of Southern segregationists governments” (Head). By 1921 the Klan had approximately 100,000 members and were financially secure. As the Klan grew so did the number of intimidation acts and violent attacks by its
Organization: …show more content…
They would wear disguises and run around town in the evenings and were surprised to learn their nightly jaunts were causing fear in the community, especially among the former slaves (Anti-Defamation League, Ku Klux Klan – History). They decided to use this to their advantage and the group quickly expanded. “Various factions formed in neighboring towns, which lead to a meeting in April 1867 to codify rules and organizational structure: (Anti-Defamation League, Ku Klux Klan – History). Between 1867 and the early 1900’s the Ku Klux Klan was known as direct threat to civil liberties as it “functioned as the unofficial paramilitary arm of Southern segregationists governments” (Head). By 1921 the Klan had approximately 100,000 members and were financially secure. As the Klan grew so did the number of intimidation acts and violent attacks by its