The Klu Klux Klan Essay examples -- Klu Klux Klan Racism Essays

The Ku Klux Klan originated over one hundred years ago and has gone through many changes since its beginning. Although many people know the Ku Klux Klan exists, they do not understand its purpose or how it has changed throughout its life. After the Civil War ended, the Southern states went through a time known as Reconstruction. Ex-Confederate soldiers had returned home now, and they were still upset about the outcome of the war. It is at this point in time that the Ku Klux Klan became a part of everyday life for many Southerners. In the beginning the Ku Klux Klan was started to be a way for people who had the same views to spend time together. The original members meant of the Ku Klux Klan to be a "hilarious social club" that would be full of aimless fun (Invisible Empire, p.9), though in later years the Ku Klux Klan became known for their violence against people outside the white race and people who associated with them. Contrary to what most people believe, the Ku Klux Klan was started because of a few people wanted to have some innocent fun, not because they were intending to start a chain of violence on anyone outside the white race.(The Klan, p.2) The Ku Klux Klan began in Pulaski, Tennessee, a small town south of Nashville. On the night of December 24, 1865 six ex-confederate soldiers were sitting around a fireplace it the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones.(Invisible Empire, p.9) These six friends were having a discussion and were trying to come up with an idea to cheer themselves up. One of the men suggested that they should start a club and the rest of the men agreed with the idea. After discussing the mew idea, the men decided to meet again and retired for the night. The second meeting was again at Judge Thoma... ... BIBLIOGRAPHY Chalmers, David M. Hooded Americanism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1981. Horn, Stanley F. Invisible Empire. Connecticut: John E. Edwards, 1969. Imperial Klans of America. http://www.kkkk.net/index.html. 13 April 2008. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://www.kkk.com/intro.htm#stands. 11 April 2008. Kajun Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://louisianaknights.com/belief.html. 13 April 2008. "KKK, Though in Decline, Packs Punch." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 26 August 1996, Section News Analysis. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://www.k-k-k.com/belief.html. 13 April 2008. North Georgia White Knights. http://www.theklan.com/inform.htm. 12 April 2008. Sims, Patsy. The Klan. New York: Stein and Day, 1985. Southern Cross Militant Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. http://personal.atl. bellsouth.net/atl/a/k/akia/index.html. 12 April 2008.