What Is The Ku Klux Klan Of The 1920s

The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920’s was a movement unlike anything the world had seen before. Although many scholars view it differently, when focusing on the definition of mainstream as the ideas, attitudes, or activities shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional, the KKK of the 1920’s falls within those boundaries. As Lay states, “[while] its earlier and later namesakes were either confined almost exclusively to the south or were relatively small in size, this organization demonstrated great appeal among mainstream elements across the nation, attracting millions of members…” (2014, p. 157). Also, this second Invisible Empire’s ideology was not as single-mindedly focused on race as one may believe (chnm). On the contrary, the
Many Klansmen were concerned with state and local political corruption (Coben), and they attempted to fix these issues by running for office. Some members of the Klan were eventually elected to local offices, but even the members who were not elected remained involved with politics in one way or another. According to Lay, the movement pushed for “traditional standards of law,” (2012) and all members held a “desire for stability, efficiency, economic growth, and the maintenance of power,” (2012) meaning the Klan wanted what was best for America overall. The KKK of the 1920’s also held a political commitment to Prohibition enforcement (Fox, 2012). In their eyes, a law was a law, and every American should abide by the rules set forth by government. Lastly, Klansmen used their political involvement to continue the defense of public schools against Catholic influence. (Fox, 2012). The group believed in separation of Church and State, and members of the KKK believed this idea could not be upheld as long as the Catholic Church held an influence on education. Even more, the Klan used its political influence in certain areas to preside over the completion of several high schools and elementary schools, despite resistance from business interests (Coben). Although the KKK’s strict political interests led to their ultimate downfall, they fought for what
No matter their economic or social standing, a commitment to civic activism united members of the order, according to Lay (2014, p.161). “Through the medium of the Klan, citizens discussed local problems, formulated plans of action, and vigorously pursued their social and political agendas” (Lay, 2014, p.161). All of society knew, or at least knew of, the KKK and their ability to take action. Therefore, Americans placed their hope in the Klan to achieve the goals set forth for the surrounding communities. Lay also states a central core of beliefs held the Klan together (2014, p.159), and this same central core of beliefs attracted many Americans to the movement. Overall, the second Invisible Empire held great influence of a large portion of the nation, and functioned quite well as a medium of civic action (Lay, 2014,