Ku Klux Klan Research Paper

Evil can arise anywhere within anyone. Terror can take root in hearts and hold the souls of people hostage. This is essentially what happened when a hateful and horrible group formed at the end of the Civil War. The Ku Klux Klan destroyed the lives of many African Americans and their allies. To comprehend how something so horrendous could surface, one must understand its birth, its following, its actions, and how the government reacted. The Ku Klux Klan, otherwise known as the KKK, originated in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1865 (Cavendish). Their name derives from the combination of the word ‘clan’ and a word of Greek origin ‘kuklos’, meaning circle or, sometimes, social club. They began towards the end of the Civil War after the North's victory.

The Klan’s creed is largely focused on patriotism and the supremacy of the white man. In the very beginning, it states, "This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, Mercy, and Patriotism; embodying in its genius and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct, noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being- First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenseless, from the indignities, wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the brutal; of relieve the injured and oppressed succor the suffering and unfortunate, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers. Second: To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States and the people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. Third: To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional law, and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land.” (Ku Klux Klan: Origin and Principles). Reading this, one could think that the Ku Klux Klan was a perfectly reasonable group and a good cause to join. They made themselves sound noble and chivalrous, but if one looks at who they mean when they bring up the lawless or brutal, they may realize that by that, the Klan means the African Americans.

It is, after all, almost impossible to prosecute a group that disguises its identity. But when the reports of a group whipping and hanging African Americans, the federal government sent in detectives and Marshals to the South to try and find out who was wreaking havoc upon the blacks and why, but some local governments refused to convict any member of the KKK because they supported what the Klan was doing (“Government Reactions”). Despite the North’s efforts to stop the Klan, their deputy marshals were intimidated and their witnesses were forced into silence or assassinated. Eventually, even though the government wanted to end the influence of the Ku Klux Klan, the most it seemed that they were able to do, was take testimonies in the form of the Joint Select Committee reports. Some members of the KKK were arrested, but overall, it did not do what the government wanted it to do other than to document the happenings and show what horrible things were going on in the