History of the KKK and their influence in society - Research Paper Example

?Running head: HISTORY OF THE KKK AND THEIR INFLUENCE IN SOCIETY History of the KKK and their influence in society School affiliation History of the KKK and their influence in society The origin, growth, development and decline of Ku Klux Klan or Klan (KKK) are interconnected with the history of slavery and racial supremacy in the American society. The Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War helped the slaves to be independent from the clutches of slavery and forced labor. On the other side, the people who believed in racial supremacy were totally against the Emancipation Proclamation and providing civil/ political rights to the black population. They began to consider the black population in America as an imminent threat to their supremacy in the mainstream society. This resulted in the origin of Ku Klux Klan, an organization based upon the supremacy of white population over the blacks in America. Thesis statement: The history of the KKK and its influence in the society proves that the same is interconnected with the history of slavery/segregation and racial supremacy in the American society. History of KKK The history of KKK can be broadly divided into three: first, second and third. To be specific, the first Klan can be connected with its origin, the second with its growth/development and the third with its decline. First Klan: 1865–1874 As pointed out, the first Klan can be considered as the origin of KKK in America. For instance, the first Klan was formed in the year 1865 in Tennessee. The retired hands from the Confederate Army were the members who established KKK as a terrorist organization to fight against the freemen. But Bullard (1996), states that “By the mid 1870s, white Southerners didn’t need the Klan as much as before because they had by that time retaken control of most southern state governments” (p.14). The name of this organization originates from Greek language, meaning ‘group or circle of brothers’. The organizational structure of the first Klan was not based upon centralization or decentralization of power because there were a number of groups based upon the same ideology of racism. During this period, the Southern states within America were deeply influenced by the first Klan. In addition, the leaders and members began to target the black population in the southern states. The people who were in favor of racial equality were treated cruelly or murdered by the Klan members. But the Force Acts passed by the authorities in 1870 and the following year were helpful to limit the anti-social deeds initiated by the Klan. In short, the first Klan can be considered as the crude form of KKK, which spread the message of racial supremacy among the people in America. The second Klan: 1915–1944 The formation of the second Klan was in Georgia, in the year 1915. So, this year can be considered as the benchmark of the growth and development of Klan as a racist organization. But Laqueur (1977), opines that “The Second Klan (ca. 1915- 1944) also stood for white supremacy, but at the same time it campaigned for a great many other causes such as patriotism and attacked bootleggers, crapshooters and even wife-beaters” (p.10). Later in 1921, the leaders transformed the Klan from unorganized groups to well knit organization. For instance, the second Klan adopted an innovative system to recruit new members to the organization which accelerated its popularity among the majority. From a different angle of view, large scale immigration helped the Klan to spread its influence to the Western parts of America. Besides, more and more ideas were inculcated to the initial plan to spread racism. For instance, national politics and protest against the spread of communist ideology were connected to the Klan’s initial plan. To be specific, this change helped the Klan to have wide spread popularity among the people and violent activism became the most important mode of protest. Gradually, the second Klan became more and more centralized. This was helpful to co-ordinate the violent activities within state and national levels. In short, the second Klan initiated the growth and development of the Klan or KKK. The third Klan: 1950s -present During 1950s and 1960s, America underwent rapid change because the Civil Rights Movement transformed the political and cultural scenarios of the mainstream society. The suppressed classes gained confidence and protested against racial supremacy and segregation. Within this context, the third Klan decided to utilize the chance and promoted violent action against the protestors. For instance, the third Klan gained confidence of the authorities and began to punish the protestors. This created anarchy in the society and the Klan began to spread its racist ideology. Gitlin (2009), opines that “ Even when the entire nation had been turned off by Klan violence in the 1950s and 1960s, much of the Southern media walked hand –in –hand with the Klan or at least attempted to justify many of its actions” (p.127). Gradually, the violent actions promoted by the third Klan began to curb the peaceful co-existence among the different races in the American society. For instance, the third Klan was the mastermind behind the bomb blast in 16th Street Baptist Church (Birmingham). From a different angle of view, the hidden agenda of the third Klan (say, the KKK in general), and the violence based upon racial feeling reduced its popularity among the people. To be specific, the development of the American society to multiculturalism reduced the scope of racism and problems related to the same. Within this context, the Klan became unpopular and more members were arrested by the authorities. In the present condition, the Klan is considered as a notorious terrorist organization with less popularity and influence among the people. The influence of KKK in the society The most important influence of KKK in the society was that it resulted in the division of the society into two watertight compartments; those who are in favor of racism/segregation and those who are against the same. McVeigh (2009) makes clear that “However, the Klan quickly became a national social movement whose reach extended into all of the nation’s forty- eight states” (p.180). This division deeply influenced the peaceful co-existence of different races in the American society and the very essence of multiculturalism. Besides, the racist propaganda initiated by the KKK leaders and members deeply influenced the members of the dominant race and they began to consider the suppressed races (especially the African Americans and the Jews) as their enemies. The influence of KKK in the society curbed the growth and development of the suppressed races because violence denied their rights in the society. The Emancipation Proclamation and the American Civil War helped the African Americans to be independent. At the same time, the influence of KKK denied their rights in the society. The influence of KKK during and after the Reconstruction Period overpowered the political scenario of America. The influence of the KKK resulted in the protection of rights for a few, but majority of the people were not able to enjoy the benefit of equal treatment in the society. Gradually, the influence of KKK began to curb the development of American society. For instance, the white people who supported the other races were considered as enemies by the KKK. When the KKK began to target the Jews, communists, non-Christians, immigrants and others, the situation became uncontrollable. Their aim to purify the society neglected the history of America and its growth and development as a federation of states. The leaders and the members of the KKK challenged the government by murdering innocent people whom they considered as enemies. The KKK leaders and members considered that election campaigns are most important because it helped them to intrude into the political scenario of the nation. Besides, they used their influence to terrorize and influence the people to elect the candidates who are favorable for them. This overpowered the very essence of elections because the people were not able to elect their own candidates. In the southern areas, the KKK members used to threaten the people to reject the Republican candidates. Gradually, the political supremacy was utilized to spread the KKK ideology to the other parts of America. The KKK members were able to intrude the law enforcement department. This helped them to create a parallel form of law enforcement which was favorable for the KKK members. When the KKK members became the officials, law enforcement was deeply influenced by the KKK ideology. The law enforcement officials began to release the KKK members involved in criminal activities. This created chaos among the people because criminals gained confidence and began to act according to the racist ideology of KKK. During 1960s, the United Klans of America (UKA) was an important KKK group which turned against blacks, Jews and the supporters of the Civil Rights Movement. In short, the KKK created terror among the people and deeply influenced the American society as a whole. Summing, the history of KKK proves that racial feeling can divide the people into watertight compartments and hinder the growth and development of a multiracial society. The history of KKK is a dark spot in the history of America because it denied the basic rights of the suppressed classes. One can see that racial supremacy will not prevail in a multiracial society because the same leads to uncontrollable violence and hatred among the people. Earlier, the influence of KKK curbed the growth and development of the American society but the present condition proves that the same is less influential among the people. References Bullard, S. (1996). The Ku Klux Klan: A History of Racism & Violence. Montgomery, Alabama: DIANE Publishing. Gitlin, M. (2009). The Ku Klux Klan: a guide to an American subculture. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. Laqueur, W. (1977). A history of terrorism. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. McVeigh, R. (2009). The rise of the Ku Klux Klan: right-wing movements and national politics. Minneapolis, M N: U of Minnesota Press. Read More