The History of the Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is one of America's oldest and most feared groups. Driven by the dream of a world with only one master race, the KKK often uses violence and moves above the law to promote their cause. They didn't start ofviolent, or to promote white supremacy. They have been in the shadows for over130 years and continue to thrive in America's society today.The Ku Klux Klan began almost accidentally during the reconstruction periodafter the civil war in the Southern United States. The southern people hadsuffered greatly from the effects of the great war. Many of them lost theirhomes and plantations. Many also lost friends and loved ones to the war. Thepeople needed a release from the sorrow of everyday life.In 1865, six men from a small town in Tennessee accidentally began what hasgrown to be the largest and most feared "hate group" in the country. The mendecided to make a club to help release the stress of the times. The men wereall poor and could not afford to make gowns or great costumes for the group, sothey decided to use linens. They wore the linens over their backs and putpillowcases on their heads. They also draped the linens over their horses. TheKu Klux Klan was going to ride for the first time. In the beginning, the menwanted to do nothing more than play pranks on people. However, the people weremore frightened than they were cheered up. They soon realized what they coulddo with these fear tactics. The South had turned into a place that was nolonger theirs. The slaves were now free (many of these men were slave owners)and carpetbaggers were coming from the North to take advantage of the southernpeople. They saw the opportunity to set back the South to what it had been.The KKK soon began to ride through political rallies of the carpetbaggers.People often fled the rallies out of fear. Word quickly spread across the Southabout these masked men. Many people loved the idea and wanted to ...
