The history of the Ku Klux Klan
Author: Christina Pomoni
Author: Christina Pomoni
In April 1866, in the aftermath of the American Civil War, President Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Bill that was addressing the issue of protection of the freed slaves from Southern States. Opposing to the Radical Republicans of the Congress, who were focused on destroying the white power structure of the rebel states, President Johnson vetoed also the first Reconstruction Act, practically denying the division of the South into five military districts, and the right to voting to the freed Black male slaves. However, despite those vetoes, the Reconstruction Act was passed by the Radical Republicans the next day. As a result, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was established in May 1866, in Pulaski, Tennessee. Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was named after the Greek word kyklos from which the English word circle is derived. General Nathan Forrest, Richard R. Reed and Captain John B. Kennedy, who founded Ku Klux Klan, had focused on coming up with an unusual and mysterious name and being well-educated they turned to the Greek language. After thorough brainstorming, Richard R. Reed suggested the word "kyklos," and then Captain John B. Kennedy added the word "clam." Soon, the group settled on the "Ku Klux Klan." In fact, the weird name of the organization had a great appeal on many white Radicals, who joined the Ku Klux Klan out of curiosity and an air of mystery. However, soon the initials KKK took on a terrifying significance. The chief intention of white supremacy clubs such as the Ku Klux Klan, the White Brotherhood, the Men of Justice and many others was to deny voting to black people. Ku Klux Klan soon transformed into the vehicle for White underground resistance to the Radical Reconstruction of the South. Klansmen required the restoration of white supremacy over the newly admitted the privileges of a citizen black freedmen. Also called the Invisible Empire of the South, because of is underground activities, the Ku Klux Klan embraced a large percentage of the white population of every profession and class. Each KKK member should equip himself with a pistol, a Ku Klux gown and a signal instrument. Typically wrapped in white sheets, wearing masks and white cardboard hats, leaving visible only their eyes through small holes, Klansmen used intimidation and violence against black Americans and supporting Whites. The KKK operations were executed only at night and they were invariably directed against members of the Radical Republican Party. Breaking into their houses at night, the Klansmen were dragging Black people out and they were torturing them in the most inhuman manner, while in many cases murdering was also reported. Over time, Ku Klux Klan turned also against immigrants, whom they blamed for the election of Radical Republicans and the pass of the Reconstruction Act. From 1868 and 1870 the KKK played a significant role in re-establishing white power in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. However, Benjamin Butler, member of the Radical Republicans in Congress urged President Grant to take action against the Ku Klux Klan. Indeed, the Ku Klux Act was passed by the Congress and became law on April 1871. With this law, President Grant acquired the power to intervene in the States of the South with the authority to suspend any disturbance. In due time, Ku Klux Klan practically disappeared, but its members were claiming that their white supremacy objective had, whatsoever, been achieved.About the Author:
Christina Pomoni has acquired her MBA Finance from the American College of Greece. Her advanced familiarity with financial statement analysis, capital budgeting and market research has been acquired through her professional career at high-esteemed organizations. As part of her long journey, Christina has served as an Equity Research Associate at Telesis Securities (EFG Eurobank) and a Financial & Investment Advisor at ING Group. Besides, having lived at Chicago, IL, Boca Raton, FL and Paris, France has helped her, not only to be a successful professional, but mostly to see life under a more creative and innovative perspective.
Since 2005, Christina provides high quality writing services to numerous websites and research companies contributing her knowledge and expertise. Her areas of specialization are Business, Finance & Investment, Society, Politics & Culture. She also has a very good knowledge of Entertainment, Health & Fitness and Computers & Technology.
Christina currently designs the website of her own writing company. Believing that knowledge is the road to opportunity and development, her mission is to promote her already established knowledge to a growing number of visitors and to provide high quality writing services to meet the most demanding customer requirements.
3 Plan Packages of Medifast Which Website Offers Plenty of Weight Loss Alternatives? Cloud Computing Ushers in New Era for Laptops and Computers Optimizing Your Home Computer’s Performance Optimizing your Computer for Online Work at Home Make the Best of your Home Computer as an Entertainment Center Nanotechnology Will Improve Computer Efficiency and Power Online Computer Repair- How Safe they Are? Hand Held Computers Best MP3 Player Speakers: Pick From Creative, Bose And Altec Lansing, And More The Age of Computers How Much Computer Memory Do I Need? 6 Things That You Need to Know When You Are Buying a New Computer