The Ku Klux Klan Thesis Statement: How does this emergence of the KKK reflect White Supremacy of the post Civil War era? 1. Introduction a. The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist, paramilitary terrorist organization committed to the preservation of the traditional white southern values. Most white southerners considered African Americans minor and not worth much; thus, they could not accept the former slaves as equal participants in state and national politics. b. The KKK was founded in the post-Civil War era by Nathaniel Bedford Forest. The Klan began in early 1866 as a harmless organization of young, former confederate soldiers in Pulaski, Tennessee. The Klan took on disguises, secret signs, and rituals similar to other fraternal groups. …show more content…
In 1868, Georgia alone had 336 Klan related instances of assault or murder. 5. Theme 3 (how the Federal gov responded Response/kkk act) a. The governments response of the KKK reflected the idea of White Supremacy. b. In attempt to legislate the reconstruction of the south, the federal government was determined that the Union victory must stand for more than just restriction. The majority of the legislation was geared towards securing political, social, and economic equality for newly independent African Americans. c. During the era of reconstruction, the passing of the first of three constitutional amendments helped African Americans. d. The enforcement acts enabled the U.S. government to bring numerous Klansmen to justice. e. Although the constitutional goals failed, in 1871 and 1872, the government attorneys successfully prosecuted numerous Klansmen. The November 1871 court session gained five convictions and forty-nine guilty pleas. f. The Civil Rights Act of 1871, which was more known as the Ku Klux Klan Act was signed in April by President Grant. This new law enforced the Fourteenth Amendment. It was a federal offense to interfere with an individual’s right to vote, hold office, serve on a jury, or enjoy equal protection of the