Features of The Klu Klux Klan - Coursework Example

Running Head: The Klu Klux Klan A Paper on a Terrorist Group In APA Style Introduction Terrorism is one of the detrimental issues in the present society. There are different groups that can be classified as terrorist organizations in the United States. The said classification can be based on the guiding principles and the activities undertaken by the members. One of the main reasons for being named to the said category is the havoc and negative effects and even death and destruction to the victims. The main objective of the study undertaken is to be able to present and discuss the terrorist activity and history of one of the most dangerous terrorist group in the American history which is the Ku Klax Klan. There are innumerable accounts and data representing the said organization and synthesizing such data is one of the goals of the research undertaken. The important information that is included in the study of the Ku Klux Klan is the mission and vision, the activities related to the organization and the effects that the group had brought about to the society. Ku Klux Klan, The Organization The Ku Klux Klan is one of the terrorist organizations in the United States that is known for its activities in the domestic arena. Although this is the case the said group is still considered as one of the most dangerous group in the U.S. Basically, the main targets of antagonistic acts of the group are of different races and religious beliefs such as the African Americans, Jews, and Roman Catholics. Also included in the distinct characteristics of the group are the conical masks and white robes while performing different types of acts which include violence and terrorist acts (Chalmers, 1987; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). History of the Klan The organization was formed on December 1865 by former Confederate officers thus starting the long history of the Ku Klux Klan. The said group started as a form of get together between friends and soon developed into a group with their own secret codes and rites to exhibit loyalty with each other. The name of the organization was a creative shot from the Greek word kyklos which means circle thus referring to their close relationship and participation to the group. The wearing of the costumes became part of the Ku Klux Klan when the superstitious Negroes became afraid (Time, 1965). One of the main objectives of the founders of the first Klan who formerly belonged to the Confederate Army is to be able to have white supremacy as the main result of the American Civil War. The ends that the organization wanted became harder to be achieved due to the different social and political problems of the era. The resistance of the group for Reconstruction forced them to turn to another direction and apply violence to be able to achieve the perceived goals. During the time of unrest, the chaos brought about by the Klan was considered as one of the reasons used to justify occupation. The political angle of the situation became one of the reasons for the deterioration of the Klan from 1868 to 1870, aside from the fact that there is a massive social effect based on the terror of the crimes that the said organization committed. It was then ultimately halted when President Ulysses S. Grant was indicted on the basis of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (Chalmers, 1987; Indiana Historical Foundation, 2008; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). The said event led to the heightened organization leading to the Klan being recognized in different states of the nation. The refining of the rules and constitution of the organization through the leadership of Nathan Bedford Forrest led to the intensification of the acts of terrorism. Violence targeted the people who believed in Reconstruction on punishments ranging from lashing and castrating to death and lynching (Chalmers, 1987; Indiana Historical Foundation, 2008). Although violence is all about due to different groups and situations during that era, the KKK is viewed by some citizen as a stimulus for change by sending waking up message although in an unconventional method. This can be attributed to the fact that the said period can be related to civil wars and chaos. This cannot be considered though as an excuse for the terrorist activities of the group. For that matter, Nathan Forrest, at one point, decided to split the group up (Chalmers, 1987; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). In the 20th century continued to continue growing and attracting members. The government and authorities are given reasons and were rationalized thus some activities undertaken by the Klan were not given the due punishment. The revival and reawakening of the Ku Klux Klan took place in December of 1915 in Atlanta with the lynching case by the Knights of Mary Phagan and the new leader William J. Simmons established and relieved Ku Klux Klan. He had been very particular with the recruitment and membership which had become exclusive for white Protestant men that are born in America. The hooded uniform was brought back but it has a different design, used for rituals. Such activities in addition to the ignited cross on the Stone Mountain and the official Georgia registration can be considered as the main reasons for the considered revival of the KKK (Chalmers, 1987; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). From the said period the Klan continuously grow even through the period of the WWI in 1917 to 1918. The period of chaos lead to the increase in membership and support for the Ku Klux Klan. This can be attributed to the main objectives which include white supremacy, anti-Catholicism, anti-Semitism and the restriction for immigration. In addition, the increased support from the middle-class Americans was based on the fact that the KKK resulted to the enhancement and development of the traditional American life such as improved educational conditions in public schools and the restoration of American family life. The law enforcement also became stimulated. With leadership of Hiram W. Evans in 1922 the Klan became more political in nature and become influential in the public offices. The said objective led to the acceptance of KKK in most areas of the US that none would express opposition to the beliefs of the group (Chalmers, 1987; Indiana Historical Foundation, 2008). The said period through was followed by the second decline in the history of KKK. This was caused by Julian Harris who exposed a number of Ku Klux Klan members that are serving in the public offices. The Columbus Enquirer-Sun editor presented a series of reports on the violence induced by the Klan resulting to the awakening of the public from their slumber with regards to the real nature of the organization. The continued efforts of Harris earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1926. The said expose also lead to the withdrawal and rapid decline of the support being received by the organization in the 1930s. The continuous deterioration and decline of the organization led to the breaking up of the group and ultimate disruption of the activities of the Klan during the said period (Chalmers, 1987; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). After the World War II, the Klan was again revived by Samuel Green which is mainly based on the practices of the Klan in Georgia that is based on white supremacy and anticommunism. When Green died, the organization continued but then with the lack unity. Different groups that call themselves Klan then existed, which has activities that are underground rather than mainstream as that of the form of early organization. During the period within 1950s to 1960s, the violence of the KKK was renewed and some 3500 member gathered on the Stone Mountain. The said event was followed by violent attacks to African Americans and civil rights advocates (Chalmers, 1987; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). These attacks forced the authorities to initiate action against the Ku Klux Klan. The campaign significantly reduced the Klansmen to less than 2000 people. But the said event did not stop the organization from continuing and prevailing to the present period. From the 70’s to the present time, the Ku Klux Klan still has members who continuously belief in the supremacy of the white people and alienation for other groups on the basis of race or religion (Chalmers, 1987; Indiana Historical Foundation, 2008; MacLean, 1994; Trelease, 1995). The Main Belief of the Klan The Ku Klux Klan mainly advocates white supremacy and other social distinction such as religion and races. For that matter, the group is highly alienating the public who does not believe in their advocacies. The worst effect of the group lies in the fact that they use violence to be able to apply such beliefs and to achieve goals. Once the goals and the targets are set, the Klan commonly acts regardless of the fact that there are laws and rights that the people are entitled of (Trelease, 1995). In addition, one of the most important guiding principles that can be considered as an identity for the Klan is the one-hundred-percent Americanism. This refers to the utmost priority given to the traditions and cultures that is native to the American civilization. The said belief though in some areas became confusing on the basis of the fact that the group has very fanatic advocacy that the white Americans should be the race solely recognized. The said fanaticism lead to the violence and deaths that can be classified as terrorism specifically based on the detrimental effects of the said crimes to the society and the threat that it had brought about to the people of the African American lineage as well as the non-Protestant followers of religion in the United States (Chalmers, 1987). Another dominant belief of the group is the strict membership to the people that is purely white American, thus, they are needed to be born in the US territory. They are strictly antagonistic to the people that had been born in foreign territories. The Klan believed in damnation and persecution thus they bluntly used violence to be able to reach their ends and perceived goals. Included in the reasons why the activities of the Ku Klux Klan are continuously questioned is that they are commonly undertaken in secrecy and discipline. In addition, activities that are related to fanaticism and that of the cult are alto attached to the organization. Their continued disrespect of the human rights and other privilege of other people not included in their realm are seriously in need of castigation (Chalmers, 1987). The data and information presented that are related to the Ku Klux Klan are in fulfillment of the objectives of the research to present a particular view of the group relating to acts of terrorism and social chaos. Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, the Ku Klux Klan is one of the perverted organizations that have no respect for the rights of other groups, may it be based on religion or race. Although social stratification should not be an issue in the present age, it is an important notion to be able to respect every culture and civilization in the world due to the fact that each has their own unique origin, development and ancestry. The belief of the Klan related to the white supremacy and strict advocacy against African Americans and other races as well as the non-Protestant religions can be perceived as highly disrespectful. In addition, the means for which their perceived ends and goals are achieved, which is through violence, can be considered a prejudice to the capability of the human beings to be at peace with each other and with nature. The effects that the activities and beliefs of the Klan had brought about to the American society can be considered as terrorism aside from the fact that there are numerous deaths that are accounted to the group. The sad truth is that such groups as the Klan still lives on. In addition, the beliefs of the KKK cannot die as long as there is a group of people who believes and advocates white supremacy and hatred towards other races and religions, a new chapter and aggregate will be formed. References Appiah, K.A. and Gates Jr., H.L. (1999) Ku Klux Klan. In Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. NY: Basic Civitas Books. Chalmers, D.M. (3rd Ed) (1987) Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press. Indiana Historical Foundation (2008) An Educational, Historical Study of the Ku Klux Klan. Retrieved September 23, 2008, from http://www.kkklan.com/. MacLean, N. (1994) Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan. New York: Oxford University Press. Time (1965, April 09) The Various Shady Lives of the Ku Klux Klan. Retrieved September 23, 2008, from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,898581-2,00.html Trelease, A.W. (1995) White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction. Louisiana State University Press. Wade, W.C. (1987) The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America. New York: Simon and Schuster. Read More