Ku+Klux+Klan

__//The Ku Klux Klan // __ The conclusion of the Civil War resulted in many things. One was the formation of the Ku Klux Klan. Other than the end of the Civil War, The Freedmen's Bureau and the Southern Black Codes fueled the making of the Klan. The KKK stopped for awhile because of laws in the late 1800s, but reformed in 1915 and again in the 1950s.

Southerners, who were still angry about African-Americans participating in government, used violence to keep blacks out of politics. These people started a group in Tennessee, called The Ku Klux Klan. A few things led to the start of this group. One thing was the end of the Civil War. The South's government was a mess, and the slaves were freed. Southerners thought the blacks would riot, so they created their own armed patrol organizations. The Klan was apart of this. The KKK terrorized blacks, carpetbaggers and scalawags to keep them from voting against who the ex-Confederates wanted in the government. Also, the Freedmen's Bureau was created and helped blacks find jobs, and improve educational facilities. Southerners didn't like blacks working with them, and felt they were taking what was theirs.When Johnson vetoed the idea to extend the power of the Freemen's Bureau, Southern Black Codes became more excepted. Black Codes were laws that put restrictions on freed slaves. For example, it prohibited their right to vote, didn't allow them to sit on juries, or carry weapons in public. This helped the Klan's plan to keep blacks from voting.

The Ku Klux Klan continues along in American history as a hate-group. It temporarily went away in 1871 due to the "Force Bill" Congress passed, which gave the federal government power to prosecute the Klan, but they reformed in 1915. During the time of World War I, the clan became violent towards the Jews, and anyone they identified as "foreigners". Again, in 1944, the Klan disappeared. When the Civil Rights Act came into play in the 1950s, the Klan became active again. The KKK was apart of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing and many other unknown lynchings and murders. Today, The Ku Klux Klan is still active and displays demonstrations that show their favoritism towards white supremacy and religious ideas. 

In our "American Story" the Ku Klux Klan plays an important part. It showed that our country, then and now, is more racist than we perceived. Many inventors, leaders, and innovators were admitted members of the Klan, such as Thomas Edison, Andrew Johnson, and Henry Ford. They supported the KKK and endorsed their activities and beliefs. The KKK is an important part of the "American Story" of our history because their influence affected us so powerfully.

The Ku Klux Klan was created as a result of the slaves being freed at the end of the Civil War. The Black Codes and the Freedmen's Bureau also contributed to the making of this organization. The KKK continued again in 1915 and in the 1950s' Civil Rights era. The Ku Klux Klan played an important part in our "American Story" because we were so greatly influenced by them. Today, the Klan still holds demonstrations to show their white pride and religious ideas.

 By: Rachel Soroka :P

__//Bibliography // __ 1."The First Ku Klux Klan." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus.__ __Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 04 June 2009 .

2."Ku Klux Klan." __Spartacus Educational__. John Simkin. 03 June 2009 .

3."The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. Jim Crow Stories . Ku Klux Klan." __PBS__. 05 June 2009 .

4.Danzer, Gerald A. __The Americans__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.