Ku Klux Klan

Terry Morgan Extended Essay DRAFT 03/03/2010
Why were the Ku Klux Klan feared by many people in the 1920s and 30s.

                  The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is a racist organisation that was formed at the end of the American civil war. Its main objective was “white supremacy”. It was formed to keep Black Americans and other religious and diverse nationalities in their place and to make sure America wasn’t over run by black Americans in particular. The KKK disliked anyone who wasn’t a “WASP” (White, Atheist, Saxon, and Protestant). They also disliked anyone who didn’t share their beliefs. This essay will explain why people feared the KKK in the 1920s 1930s. The KKK was feared for several reasons. These reasons included the Klan’s violent activities such as lynching, the extent of the Klan’s influence and the clandestine nature of the Klan’s activities before coming to a conclusion.
                Numerous people feared the Ku Klux Klan because the Klan had influence. The KKK were influential because of numbers, especially in urban areas for example, 40,000 members lived in Detroit USA. Most of the members in these areas were lower-middle class whites who were trying to protect there jobs and housing from the waves of newcomers to the industrial cities. As new populations poured into cities, rapidly changing neighbourhoods created social tensions. Due to the rapid pace in population in the US Midwest. The KKK also grew in booming southern cities such as Dallas and Houston. They had an estimated 3 million members across the USA. Millions joined and at it peaks in 1920s the organisation included about 15 % of the nations eligible population. This threatened black Americans because they thought the KKK might get even greater political influence; encouraging laws against Black Americans. The Klan also bribed various individuals for example, judges, juries and police officer so Black people had nowhere to turn for help when attacked by the Klan. Law enforcement...