The Ku Klux Klan
The Civil War was over. Over 4 million slaves are freed. The 13th Amendment is passed, abolishing slavery in the United States. The Reconstruction Era is in full swing, against the opposition of many Southerners who did not believe former slaves should be viewed as equal to white men. With continued opposition to Reconstruction came fatigue in the North; following the readmittance of a majority of the 11 succeeded states, the North largely relinquished control over the South. The result of which would lead to the continued persecution and denial of equal protection for many African Americans. In 1867, Radical Reconstruction saw blacks with their first opportunity at representation in government and legislation. With the passing of the Reconstruction Act came new organization …show more content…
Union leagues were organized, over 600 blacks were elected into state office, and social programs relating to black education, health care and legal aid were introduced. (Staff, 2007) Former Confederate soldiers would take matters into their own hands using the newly formed “social club” known as the Ku Klux Klan or KKK. On December 24, 1865, after the loss of the Civil War, six former Confederate soldiers formed the KKK outside of Pulaski,
Tennessee. Recruitment swells in the South with the actions of Reconstruction and expansion of representation for freed slaves. The KKK used paramilitary methods in exacting terror; one such method was conducting nighttime raids, where KKK members would disguise themselves in white sheets while riding through chosen communities on horseback. (History,
The Civil War was over. Over 4 million slaves are freed. The 13th Amendment is passed, abolishing slavery in the United States. The Reconstruction Era is in full swing, against the opposition of many Southerners who did not believe former slaves should be viewed as equal to white men. With continued opposition to Reconstruction came fatigue in the North; following the readmittance of a majority of the 11 succeeded states, the North largely relinquished control over the South. The result of which would lead to the continued persecution and denial of equal protection for many African Americans. In 1867, Radical Reconstruction saw blacks with their first opportunity at representation in government and legislation. With the passing of the Reconstruction Act came new organization …show more content…
Union leagues were organized, over 600 blacks were elected into state office, and social programs relating to black education, health care and legal aid were introduced. (Staff, 2007) Former Confederate soldiers would take matters into their own hands using the newly formed “social club” known as the Ku Klux Klan or KKK. On December 24, 1865, after the loss of the Civil War, six former Confederate soldiers formed the KKK outside of Pulaski,
Tennessee. Recruitment swells in the South with the actions of Reconstruction and expansion of representation for freed slaves. The KKK used paramilitary methods in exacting terror; one such method was conducting nighttime raids, where KKK members would disguise themselves in white sheets while riding through chosen communities on horseback. (History,