In the nine years following the Civil War, former Confederate states were embroiled in multiple changes to their way of life. Federal troops occupied the South in an effort to protect former slaves and to control the states until the economic and political situations stabilized. Southerners resented blacks, and, used violence and vigilantism in an attempt to return to their comfortable prewar society. Frustrations lead whites to band together in lawless groups. As the political and military avenues to save their way of life failed, these groups resorted to violence and terrorism. Demoralized individuals joined vigilante groups or organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan and Knights of the Rising Sun, whose main purpose was to terrorize black Americans. These organizations harassed and intimidated ex slaves and terrorized local townspeople and one must label them terrorists. …show more content…
One problem was that whites sought to revive the antebellum society and white supremacy. In addition, Southerners resented the federal government’s involvement in their affairs via army occupation and the Freedmen’s Bureau. Whites had to compete with blacks for available jobs. White southerners were afraid of blacks and their new freedom. Moreover, white southerners, frustrated with economic and political developments, blamed the ex slaves and republicans for all post-war economic, political, and social problems. One argument to show these vigilante groups were terroristic is the use of intimidation to get their way. At night, they rioted in the streets and threatened to burn black churches (Campbell). Blacks and their sympathizers were terrified and armed themselves for