By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Forgotten History.

The Ku Klux Klan’s complex and violent history has been shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain: their legacy of hatred and intimidation has left an indelible mark on American society. From their origins in the post-Civil War South to their modern-day incarnations, the KKK has consistently promoted a message of white supremacy and racial subordination.

Origins of the KKK

The first Klan was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on December 24, 1865, by six former officers of the Confederate Army. They were Frank McCord, Richard Reed, John Lester, John Kennedy, J. Calvin Jones, and James Crow. The KKK adopted many of the initiation rites and formal ceremonies of the Sons of Malta, with the same purpose of fraternity, solidarity, and most of all, political power.

As historian Elaine France Parsons describes the membership, ‘Lifting the Klan mask revealed a chaotic multitude of anti-vigilante groups, disgruntled poor white farmers, wartime guerrilla bands, displaced Democratic politicians, illegal whiskey distillers, coercive moral reformers, sadists, rapists, white workmen fearful of black competition.’ The KKK’s primary goal was to restore white supremacy in the South and undermine the Republican Party’s infrastructure.

The KKK’s Evolution

The Klan had three evolutions in its history as it evolved and altered its methods, tactics, and expanded its focus. All three movements have called for the purification of American society and all are considered far-right extremist organizations. The second era of the Klan started in 1915 as a small group in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and expanded membership nationwide in the early and mid-1920s.

Historian Eric Foner observed, ‘In effect, the Klan was a military force serving the interests of the Democratic Party, the planter class, and all those who desired restoration of white supremacy.’ The KKK received its greatest propaganda boost when film director D. W. Griffith released his 1915 silent film, The Birth of a Nation, which took great liberties with the truth surrounding the creation and activities of the first Klan.

Legacy of the KKK

The KKK’s legacy of hatred and intimidation has left a lasting impact on American society. Their actions have resulted in the deaths of countless individuals, including civil rights workers, black Republicans, and innocent bystanders. The KKK’s message of white supremacy has also inspired other hate groups and extremist organizations.

In recent years, the KKK has been classified as a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The final demise of the original Klan arrived in the form of a senseless murder of 19-year-old black male Michael Donald in 1981 and a trial that made history in Alabama.

The story of the KKK serves as a reminder of the dangers of hatred and intolerance. As Colin D. Heaton and Michael Droberg explore in their series Forgotten History, the KKK’s complex and violent history is a cautionary tale about the importance of promoting understanding, acceptance, and equality.

The full episode of Forgotten History is available on OBBM Network TV.

Watch Forgotten History on OBBM Network TV: https://media.obbmnetwork.tv/embed/tv.html#series/forgotten-history