Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a white supremacist hate group that was very prevalent during the Jim Crow era. Their primary targets were African Americans and they were responsible for countless lynchings and other acts of hate. There were 3 clans that were in existence since 1865. The first clan was present from 1865-1871. The second was around from 1915-1944. Lastly, the third clan formed in 1946 and is still around today. The KKK members don a hooded white robe that looks ghostly. The motivation behind the KKK's antics was too get African Americans out of office and to make that Whites stay on top. They were especially big in the south as African Americans won elections into state governments and even the U.S. Congress. The KKK would burn down black homes, churches, schools and gathering places in an effort to drive them away. By 1870 the KKK had branches in almost every southern state. The KKK was usually more active in regions of the south were African Americans were the minority. One of their most notorious attacks was in January 1871 where 500 Klansman attacked the Union county jail and lynched 8 black prisoners. Eventually the Ku Klux Klan act of 1871 was created which designated certain crimes committed by individuals as federal offenses including trying to deprive citizens of the right to hold office, serve on juries and enjoy the equal protection of the law. The KKK ended up fizzing out but not before countless more attacks on minorities. They never ended up completely disbanding and you can bet that there are still members of the KKK somewhere today.