Why were the 1920s the high point of the Ku Klux Klan’s popularity?

Learning objective – to be able to explain why the Ku Klux Klan was so popular during the 1920s

I can describe some for the reasons why the Ku Klux Klan was so popular during the 1920s.

Grade D

I can explain the impact of the Ku Klux Klan and why did their popularity rise as well as dramatically fall.

Grade B

I can explain and assess the impact of the Ku Klux Klan on US society in the 1920s.

Grade A

Starter – How many members were there in the KKK in 1924 and how many in 1929?

Starter – How many members were there in the KKK in 1924 and how many in 1929?

1924 – 4.5 million members

1929 – just under 200,000 members

Why was America a divided society in the 1920s?

New America

• New immigrants from all over Europe.

• Many followed different religions such as Judaism and Catholicism.

• Many spoke limited English.

Old America

• British descendants from the 17th and 18th centuries.

• WASPs.• Controlled many areas of

politics and society.

What were the origins of the Ku Klux Klan?

The Ku Klux Klan was formed after the American Civil War in 1866 in Tennessee. It was a secret society determined to protect the Whites who lived in the Old South from

the threat of African-Americans who had been freed from slavery. They

went into decline after 1877.

What did the Ku Klux Klan do?

The Ku Klux Klan protected their secrecy by wearing white robes and met in

Klaverns.

They were structured like an army.

Their meetings emphasised Protestantism and were governed by a rule book

called the ‘Kloran’.

Why did the Ku Klux Klan gain popularity from the 1910s onwards?

Immense popularity of the hit film The Birth of the Nation in 1915, which

portrayed the KKK as heroes defending the WASP way of

life.

KKK was reformed in 1915 with cheap membership of $10 – which included KKK

robes.

Growing fears from poor white southerners afraid of

African-Americans and immigrants willing to work

for low wages and taking jobs normally reserved for them.

KKK also capitalised upon the growing fears towards

immigration, seeing them as a threat to American society.

How much influence did the Ku Klux Klan have on US society during the 1920s?

There were examples that the KKK were able to

influence elections. For example, in Maine, the

Attorney-General spoke out against the KKK and was promptly removed from

office.

The 1920s saw KKK lead a growing campaign of terror

across the South, with lynchings and burnings. This

intimidation created an atmosphere of fear and

terror.

It could be argued that the KKK greatest influence came

in their campaign for immigration controls which

favoured those from northern Europe.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=kkk%20lynching&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=WctSaPUyaEiX2M&tbnid=5nuyved579BdbM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://catherinesegregationsources.wikispaces.com/&ei=7S7dUtWTM82EhQeSwoDQCQ&bvm=bv.59568121,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNE92nd-B6Y5b6r-lckAvLVubuixfg&ust=1390313573006733

Why did support for the Ku Klux Klan collapse between 1924 and 1929?

Membership of the KKK fell from 4.5 million in 1924 to

just under 200, 000 in 1929.

Also, the KKK was a victim of its own success. Having

helped secure immigration controls many members were no longer actively

interested.A key reason for this was the conviction of David

Stephenson, the Grand Dragon of the KKK, of rape. Other members were also

implicated in rapes and corruption. This undermined the KKK’s standing for moral

WASP behaviour.

Plenary

This word cloud summarises the content of today’s lesson.

Pick out the three most important words and explain why they summarise your learning in the lesson.

NOTE – you cannot choose Ku Klux AND Klan – you are just allowed one from those three!