Ku Klux Klan In The 1920s Essay

Founded during the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877), The Ku Klux Klan was an extremist hate group that violently challenged social and political laws which protected certain minority groups. The Klan’s deliberate use of terror and violence reflected the passion held for a racial hierarchy, with whites at the top of the social structure. The presence of KKK was seen not only during the Reconstruction Era, but also during the post–World War I era (1920s). There are distinct similarities and differences that define the motives of the 1860s Klan and the reincarnated 1920s Klan; however, I believe these characteristics hide the true representation of the intolerance of American citizens.

The 1920s was a time of innovation and revolution for America but also struck fear in the lives of millions. During this period there were hundreds of new inventions including the radio, Model T, and the television, but alongside these great creations terror was struck in the heart of Americans by a group of radical white supremacist. These white supremacist were known as the Ku Klux Klan and they were on the hunt for anyone who opposed their opinions. The Ku Klux Klan, also known as the KKK, was an organization formed in 1866 that disbanded and reformed in the year 1915. The Klan and its Klansmen were known for their racist actions against blacks and other minorities.

Throughout history, the Ku Klux Klan has been known as a racist hate group used to intimidate and offend the African American community. Although this is true pertaining to their initial existence, the Klu Klux Klan was against much more than just African-Americans. During their reprise in the 1910s through 1920s they reinitialized their mission therefore turning their organization into more than just intimidation towards the African American community but they were also now against Jews, Catholics, and Immigrants, as well as African Americans. Thus leading to violent acts in these communities which lead said communities to living in fear. While most believe that government officials and police officers would be a large help to these communities it was later revealed that many legislators, police officers, and other government officials were secret klansmen.

The Ku Klux Klan or KKK has created centuries of fear. They originated in Pulaski, Tennessee. The famous hate group was out to re establish white supremacy. The KKK has influenced local governments and people in power. It has also had an impact on American people and specifically black minorities.

The early 1900s were a time of widespread social and political change in America. During this time, many Americans adopted new, more modern ideas about labor, cultural diversity and city life. Some of these Progressive ideas were brought about by the need for reform in the workplace due to the grown of large companies and rapid industrialization. Not everyone supported the ideas of the Progressive Movement, however. Anti-Progressives, especially in the South, preferred traditional, rural lifestyles, and a slower, simpler way of living.

Disenfranchisement. A wide-spread problem that has plagued humanity from the earliest of days. Disenfranchisement means the state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote. From 1100 BC and on people, especially minorities, have had their rights taken away by the more dominant race, religion, or gender. The most specifically remembered case of disenfranchisement was in America from 1870-1965, trying to keep freed black slaves from going to the poll.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a terrorist group that would terrorize, kidnap, kill, and torture African Americans. Reconstruction was an act of getting the United State's back to normal after the Civil War, and the Ku Klux Klan made this difficult. The Klu Klux Klan harassed African Americans. The Ku Klux Klan contributed to the failure of reconstruction by harassing African Americans in order to make the African Americans fear the Klansmen, they would try to increase their public appeal to gain more followers, increase their racism towards African Americans, leading towards the republican party failing, and harass and kill off the African americans to scare them into not voting or participating, bringing back white supremacy.

Daniel James Moody, Jr. was born on June 1st of 1893 in Taylor Texas. His father, Daniel James Moody Sr., was Taylor’s mayor-justice of the peace- school board chairman. His father was one of the towns first settlers in 1876. His mother, Nannie Elizabeth Robertson, was a local school teacher when she was married to Dan in 1890. His father was highly educated and graduated from the University of Texas Law School.

The decade of the 1920’s - 1930’s was an era of a drastic change in fashion. Women fashion changed dramatically; however, their hemlines rose , make-up began to get popular, and their hairstyles became shorter. “The notorious flapper girl is known by all and the short sleek hair, above the knee straight shift dress and the boyish figure will never fail to be remembered.¨ (www.catwalkyourself.com) Women had a more masculine look , but playful applied make-up onto their face. They rocked short bobbed hairstyles usually for men, and rebelliously demonstrated them in public. They began to develop a more sleek and slim look in the 1920’s.

The Ku Klux Klan was not seen in Colorado in 1920’s but by 1925 the Klan members and sponsored candidates controlled the Colorado State House and Senate. Ultimately, Colorado lawmakers managed to prevent the Klan’s legislative agenda from passing. Ku Klux Klan dominated much of Colorado politics during the mid-1920’s. After the general election of 1924, the governor, Clarence Morley, was a Klansman, taking his orders from Dr. John Galen Locke, the Grand Dragon of the Colorado Realm [4].

The Civil War was the most destructive battle in American history. The hurricane of a battle lasted for four years and is responsible for 785,000-1,000,000 Union, Confederate, and slave casualties. The battle was fought for the overall emancipation of slaves, and the Union succeeded in fulfilling that goal. You would think that after that war and after slavery was abolished once and for all, everyone would be happy and everyone would join together and sing Kumbaya; however, that's not exactly what happened. The Reconstruction Era was more destructive for slaves than the war itself.

The Reconstruction period was a brutal time period for America in order to fix the things destroyed during the Civil War, but it was overall worth it. There were many good things about Reconstruction, but also bad. I personally believe that there were more good things than bad. One negatives is that the slaves weren’t really free meaning they didn’t have completely equal rights, but this was the start of the Civil Rights movement that shaped our country. One of the things that all started movement towards Civil Rights was the 13th Amendment.

In 1934 ,November 14 an ordinary child was conceived with a soon to be world changing child. This child would grow up under harsh conditions that created a monster out of him. Experiencing life as abandoned and alone the young boy found crime to be his only way of expressing himself. Beginning a life filled with petty crimes the boy spent time incarcerated. The petty crimes soon proved to not be enough as the boy and his group conducted acts of pure hatred.