Anti-Immigration and the Anti-Immigration and the KKKKKK

Created by Heather DoreyCreated by Heather Dorey

Hohokam Middle SchoolHohokam Middle School

Tucson, AZTucson, AZ

"Our unity is threatened by hordes "Our unity is threatened by hordes of immigrants . . . who bring of immigrants . . . who bring

foreign ideas and ideals into our foreign ideas and ideals into our land," he intones. "Two things land," he intones. "Two things

must be done: first, we must stop must be done: first, we must stop influx of foreigners; second, we influx of foreigners; second, we

must through education, bring all must through education, bring all people to common program of people to common program of

acting and thinking."acting and thinking."

How did the KKK begin?How did the KKK begin?

• Began in Pulaski, Began in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1866 by Tennessee in 1866 by former Confederate former Confederate veterans as a social club veterans as a social club

• Focused on the ideas of Focused on the ideas of white supremacy and white supremacy and opposition towards opposition towards ReconstructionReconstruction

• Attempted to control Attempted to control freedmen through freedmen through threats and violencethreats and violence

Second Era Begins - 1915Second Era Begins - 1915• KKK resurfaces under the leadership KKK resurfaces under the leadership

of William J. Simmons and a renewed of William J. Simmons and a renewed sense of nativismsense of nativism

• This new Klan spread from the south This new Klan spread from the south into the rest of Americainto the rest of America

• Focused not just on African-Focused not just on African-Americans but anyone who was “un-Americans but anyone who was “un-American” including immigrants, American” including immigrants, Jews, and Roman Catholics.Jews, and Roman Catholics.

William J. Simmons, Imperial Wizard

• Membership grew to Membership grew to between 2 and 5 between 2 and 5 million peoplemillion people

• Included ordinary, Included ordinary, “respectable”, white “respectable”, white middle class middle class AmericansAmericans

• Film “Birth of a Film “Birth of a Nation” is released Nation” is released in 1915 showing the in 1915 showing the KKK as America’s KKK as America’s saviorsavior

• In 1924, writer Stanley Frost wrote In 1924, writer Stanley Frost wrote the following about the KKK: the following about the KKK: – ““The Ku Klux Klan has become the most The Ku Klux Klan has become the most

vigorous, active, and effective vigorous, active, and effective organization in American life outside organization in American life outside business.”business.”

In 1925, more than 25,000 KKK members In 1925, more than 25,000 KKK members marched in Washington, D.C.marched in Washington, D.C.

1925 KKK Manual1925 KKK Manual

• Purpose: Purpose: "To unite white male persons, native-born, Gentile citizens of the United States of America, who owe no allegiance of any nature or degree to any foreign government, nation, institution, sect, ruler, person, or people; whose morals are good; whose reputations and vocations are respectable; whose habits are exemplary; who are of sound minds and eighteen years or more of age, under a common oath into a brother hood of strict regulations."

• Corruption amongst Klan leaders Corruption amongst Klan leaders and the Great Depression caused and the Great Depression caused the organization to slow down but the organization to slow down but they never went awaythey never went away

• Regained strength once again Regained strength once again during the Civil Rights Movement during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, of the 1950s and 1960s, membership about 20,000membership about 20,000

End of the 2End of the 2ndnd Era - 1930 Era - 1930

Ku Klux Klan TodayKu Klux Klan Today• Once again gaining strength Once again gaining strength • Focus: immigration, gay marriage, and Focus: immigration, gay marriage, and

urban crimeurban crime

• http://www.kkk.bz/• http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Extremism_72/4973_72.htm