Ku Klux Klan

Founded in 1866, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) extended to almost all southern states in 1870 and became a vehicle for white southern resistance to the reconstruction policies of the Republican Party aimed at establishing political and economic equality for the black people.


Its members conducted an underground intimidation and violence campaign against the black and white Republican leaders.

Although Congress passed legislation designed to curb Klan terrorism, its primary objective–the restoration of white supremacy–was achieved through democratic victories in southern state legislatures in the 1870s.

After a period of decline, white Protestant nativist groups revived the Klan at the beginning of the 20th century, burning crosses and organizing rallies, parades, and marches denouncing immigrants, Catholics, Jews, Black people, and organized labor.

The civil rights movement of the 1960s also saw an increase in the activity of the Ku Klux Klan, including the bombing of black schools and churches and violence against black and white activists in the South.