Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan, or KKK for short, was a far-right terrorist organization in the United States that advocated such ideas as white supremacy and white nationalism. In the middle of the last century, the Ku Klux Klan also opposed American Catholics, blacks in particular, and communism.

The Third Klan (nowadays) opposes same-sex relationships, Muslims, and tolerance. This organization is associated with the emergence of the term Lynch Court.

History of the Ku Klux Klan.
Apparently, the name of the organization comes from the ancient Greek “κύκλος” – circle, wheel, and the English “clan” – clan. There is also a version that the name is related to the clanking of the bolt of a rifle while putting it into action. However, there is another version, according to which the term is derived from the Latin “cucullo” – hood.

The Civil War (1861-1865) in the United States had a serious impact on the formation of the views of Americans living in that era. A very complicated relationship emerged between the state’s white and black citizens, leading to an increase in racism among the white population.

In December 1865, a few months after the defeat of the South, six Southern veterans formed an underground organization. Thus was founded the so-called First Ku Klux Klan, which existed for several years.

During that period, the KKK did all it could to eliminate the republican system in the South, especially by persecuting black citizens. It was then that the famous white suits, consisting of a white hoodie, a mask, and a domed headdress, were created to intimidate.

Typically, members of the Ku Klux Klan would warn their victims in one way or another before attacking. For example, it could be a branch of an oak tree, a melon seed, or an orange seed. In any case, the person understood that he had received a warning and should either leave the area or reconsider his views. Otherwise, he would face death.

Every year the number of the KKK increased. Racists and various members of other Southern terrorist groups joined the organization.

By that time the leaders of the Ku Klux Klan had drafted a constitution, the Precept, in which they presented their goals. In particular, the KKK stated that they wanted first and foremost to save the state from an invasion of blacks and to save white people from humiliation. In turn, black citizens could count on rights convenient only to whites.

ku-kluks-klan-na-parade
The Ku Klux Klan at the parade
It is an interesting fact that over time the number of members of the 1st Ku Klux Klan exceeded half a million people! There was a hierarchical system in the Klan, but in general the self-organization of the KKK left much to be desired.

In the early 1870s the group ceased to exist. This was due to the radical actions of the American Sweets, who were forced to take extreme measures due to the KKK’s brutality, which crossed all boundaries.

Members of the Ku Klux Klan harassed Republicans and robbed, abused, and murdered black citizens. Hundreds of members were thrown into prisons, which was one of the key reasons the group disintegrated. Curiously, virtually no one among the KKK leaders was prosecuted.

In 1915 the Second Ku Klux Klan was formed, which existed until 1944. According to experts, its number reached 3 to 6 million people!

Members of the Ku Klux Klan still dressed in white hoods and balaclavas. However, along with this, they had a new symbol – a burning cross. After the Second World War (1939-1945), the Third Ku Klux Klan was founded with a much smaller membership.

In the 1970s, the group had no more than 10,000 members, but that was enough to make itself known. During this period, the activists actively fought the Communists, often resorting to crime.

Only thanks to the effective intervention of the American secret services, the Ku Klux Klan managed to be formally destroyed and reduced to a minimum. Nowadays, the KKK is not a single organization – small groups of activists, acting mainly in the South of the USA and other countries, consider themselves to be part of it.