White Supremacists In The 1920s

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The 1920s was a time of innovation and revolution for America but also struck fear in the lives of millions. During this period there were hundreds of new inventions including the radio, Model T, and the television, but alongside these great creations terror was struck in the heart of Americans by a group of radical white supremacist. These white supremacist were known as the Ku Klux Klan and they were on the hunt for anyone who opposed their opinions. The Ku Klux Klan, also known as the KKK, was an organization formed in 1866 that disbanded and reformed in the year 1915. The Klan and its Klansmen were known for their racist actions against blacks and other minorities. Life during this time period was terrifying for the citizens of the United …show more content…

The Ku Klux Klan was alive and strong during World War I reconstruction but during this era they disbanded. Almost 50 years later, after seeing a film called “Birth of A Nation”, Colonel William Joseph Simmons rejuvinized the Klan. For Simmons first act as new Klan leader he climbed to the top of a mountain and set fire to a cross to mark the rebirth of the KKK. Simmons acts as new Klan leader led the supremacist to nationwide membership of possibly up to 8 million. Membership of the Klan was not limited to just the poor or the South either. “Doctors, lawyers and ministers became loyal supporters of the KKK” (PBS). The Klan only a few years after being reformed had become stronger and more powerful than ever …show more content…

They had arisen after being dead for nearly 50 years, had many new targets they were after including foreigners, jews, and catholics, and asserted themselves as a dominant force to not be reckoned with in our nation’s state governments. The KKK had placed so many beings in power and killed so many their presence of hate was felt all throughout the nation. The Klan has died before then and since then but the KKK of the 1920s was possibly their most dominant of all time. The Klan of the 20s was like no other Klan they did things no one had ever done before, killing thousands and controlling the government like no one group ever could their past presence in the American society will be remembered for all