Controversies Occuring in the Klu Klux Klan
Controversies Occuring in the Klu Klux Klan
The KKK is a very controversial organization; it has existed since the civil war. The Klan was first started in 1866 as a social group for war veterans. After this many of the members began to abuse the Klan and used it to terrorize many former slaves. Many people one being General Nathan Bedford Forest who took over the Klan in 1867 as a kind of secret army to oppose the unionists influenced this. The Klan tried to provide people of the south with the leadership to bring back the values of the western civilization. Also at this time the Klan was given a new named after the word “kuklos” meaning, circle. The Klan would go on midnight rides were the men would dress up in white robes, white mask, and cover there horses in white sheets. The men would use strange language and commands as terror tactics, as this was not enough they would also whip and lynch many people.
The Klansmen regarded the reconstruction governments as hostile and oppressive. They also believed in the innate inferiority of blacks and therefore mistrusted and resented the rise of former slaves to a status of civil equality and to positions of political power. Even today their goals are on a severe political level stated, "We must take back control of our U.S. government. We intend to put Klansmen and Klanswomen in office all the way from the local school board to the White House." This current statement of goals dated 1/9/00 shows the involvement to change the social-racial ways of the U.S.
The Klan has been divided into to groups the first and second, first Klan (1868-1870), around the time of the start of the Klan. While the federal occupation troops were being withdrawn from the southern states and confederate leaders was replaced with democratic administrations, the Klan was overwhelmed by the rougher elements in the population. The local organizations became uncontrollable and violent that the grand wizard, Nathan B. Forester officially disbanded the Klan in 1869. Klaverns [Local Organizations] however continued to operate on their own.
A secret convention of Klansmen, held in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1867, adopted a declaration of principles expressing the loyalty to the U.S. Constitution and it's government and declaring the devotion to the brotherly Klan " To protect the weak,...