Almost everyone knows who the Ku Klux Klan were. They were an infamous hate group that had a lot of support throughout the many years they were around; however, not many people know how they rose to power during the Reconstruction process. Not only that, but they also disbanded after Reconstruction but formed again under new leadership in the 1900s. Then the Great depression hit and they slowly fell apart after years of power. The Klan enjoyed a quick rise in power during reconstruction, but slowly fell throughout the years leading up to and after the Great Depression due to the changing of times in the United States. Confederate veterans were the founders of the first branch of the many branches of the Ku Klux Klan. These veterans started …show more content…
Not only was the law enforcement under their control, but local governments were as well and allowed these violent crimes to continue on until the end of Reconstruction. Congress, however, was not controlled by the Klan and saw these hate crimes as a serious threat to national security and imposed many laws and acts to try and hinder their success. One of these acts was the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which stated “...as to deprive any portion or class of the people...of any the rights, privileges, or immunities, or protection...it shall be lawful for the President...he may deem necessary for the suppression of such insurrection, domestic violence, or combinations” (“The Ku Klux Klan Act”). This act still did not stop the Klan from harassing anyone who opposed their ideals, and only until the end of Reconstruction did the Klan finally achieve their goal and …show more content…
They had a surge of new members that not only believed in white supremacy, but they also hated Roman Catholics, Jews, any type of foreigners, and organized labour. This hate was caused by the rush of immigrants coming into the country along with the fear of a communist uprising similar to the Bolshevik triumph in Russia (“Ku Klux Klan - Facts & Summary”). The Klan spread rapidly throughout the North and the South due to the activities of professional supporters, such as Elizabeth Tyler and Edward Y. Clarke. Being an outlet for many militant patriots that were aroused by WWI also helped improve their spread throughout the