Have you ever heard of the Ku Klux Klan? The Ku Klux Klan’s history started in 1865, at the end of the US Civil War and was primarily extended into every southern state.
In 1870, it became the vehicle for the white southern resistance to Republican Party’s policies to establish economic and political equality for Black Americans.
Are you aware that the Ku Klux Klan was founded to repress the freedoms and rights of African Americans? It’s a terrorist organization that used violence, intimidation, and even murder to keep white supremacy and social life.
Do you find this interesting? Now, let’s go deeper and learn more about the Ku Klux Klan’s history and its hidden and unknown facts. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Ku Klux Klan: Who are They?
The Klan was the secret organization that used terror strategies and campaigns to target newly-freed African Americans. It’s an organization engaging fright in pursuing the white supremacist agenda. What’s more frightening is that members of this organization are usually under the cloak of disguise and darkness.
It’s a group that includes former Confederate veterans who founded the first Ku Klux Klan branch in Tennessee. The first two words of this organization were supposedly derived from the Greek word “kyklos”, which means circle.
It was during Civil War’s end that it brought liberty to the enslaved African Americans in the previous Confederacy. The federal laws introduced in the years of Reconstruction were made to protect the rights of the freed African American people. Unfortunately, they encountered violence and intimidation from the Klan when they were about to exercise their rights.
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Here are Some Hidden Facts About the Ku Klux Klan History
Now that you somehow know about the Ku Klux Klan, history seems like there’s more to be revealed. Here’s what you need to know.
- Its Pointed Hood
As you observed, the Ku Klux Klan wear a pointed hood and white robes. But where do you think they get these outfits called “capirotes” come from? The truth is the Capirotes were being used in old Spain by secret societies. The robes and hood are their ritual attires, and in some parts of Spain, they still wear them in celebration of Holy Week.
Can you imagine how these organizations that result in violence wear during holy days?
Because of that, the Catholic Church became suspicious of such organizations, especially those that met secretly.
And so, in the fourteenth century, Pope Clement VI reprimanded and imposed penalties on those who participated in the group. In turn, the members who accepted the hood or masked capirote used these attires to hide their identities.
Indeed, the hooded Klansman’s image became so popular as a hate symbol, displayed on tattoos and t-shirts by white supremacists worldwide.
- Various Klans
For years, did you know that there were three different Klans? In fact, three main ones encouraged many spin-off groups that use their names.
It was in the 1860s when the first Ku Klux Klan was launched as a social club. Later, it mutated in a group with a “purpose”.
Another Klan arose in 1915, and it happened during the Catholic and Jewish immigration. These groups added mass parades and cross-burnings to the secret codes and white robes or the first group.
And lastly, the third Klan, whose members were giving exploitative talk shows and even hateful posts on social media to this day. These were the thing in the 1950s when the civil rights movement was firm on the agenda of Americans.
- Someone Put a More Corporate Face on the Klan
If you know David Duke, you’re probably puzzled by his rantings about Hillary Clinton. Yet, his real gift to Ku Klux Klan was to turn them into corporate.
Davide Duke founded the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, where he and his followers were the ones responsible for innovations. He even tried to change the organisation’s focus to legal and non-violent.
He wants to change the nation. However, he needs to quit in the 1980s and formed the National Association for the Advancement of White People.
- Westboro Baptist Church
Did you know that The Klans hate the Westboro Baptist Church as much as everyone else?
Well, you probably think two of the world’s famous hate groups have a lot in common. Turns out, the Klan are not a big fan of people who picket soldiers’ funerals.
Now it makes sense that it’s odd to think that white supremacists and hardcore fundamentalists throw urine at each other. It’s just weird, knowing the military history of the organization.
- Violence in the South
One of the most radical aspects of Reconstruction is the Black participation in public life. It was the Black people who won the election to the southern state government, even the U.S. Congress.
That said, Ki Klux Klan was able to dedicate itself to coming up with an underground violence campaign against the Republican voters and leaders. These are both white and black, in an effort to change the policies of Reconstruction. It would also restore the supremacy of white in the South.
They were also joined to this issue by the same organizations like the White Brotherhood and Knights of the White Camelia.
With that, about 10% of Black legislators were elected in constitutional conventions. Unfortunately, they became victims of violence, of which others were killed.
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Wrapping Up
When the period of decline ended, the White Protestant nativist groups renewed Ku Klux Klan in the 20th century. There were burning crosses and never-ending rallies and parades, as well as marches.
With all these in mind, hopefully, you will have a better understanding of the propaganda of this kind of organization. Whether you see this as good or bad, what’s important is it will not result in violence.
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