Ku Klux Klan

Ku Klux Klan
Flag of the Ku Klux Klan
Leaders	David Duke
Dates of operation	1865–1872 1915–1944 1946–present
Active regions	United States Canada
Ideology	White supremacy White nationalism Segregationism
Designated as a terrorist group by	Canada Charleston, South Carolina
Preceded by Knights of the Golden Circle Confederate States of America Knights of Mary Phagan (1915) Night Riders (1915)

The Ku Klux Klan is an American white supremacist hate group.^[1] It was started in Pulaski, Tennessee^[2] on December 24, 1865 and quickly spread among white people in the southern United States. Most of its hate has been towards African Americans, but it has also attacked Catholics, Jews and immigrants. Known as the KKK for short, it has sought to keep "white power", often through very violent acts, including killing people. The first Ku Klux Klan broke up and does not exist anymore. However, other groups with the same name and the same ideas have been created.

The group was started after the American Civil War. It began as a social club for former Confederate soldiers, who during the war fought to defend slavery.^[3] The Klan quickly became a terrorist organization.^[3] It was one of several resistance movements against the Reconstruction of the United States.

1. ↑ Etter Sr, Gregg W.; McElreath, David H.; Quarles, Chester L. (Spring 2005). "Ku Klux Klan: Evolution Towards Revolution". Journal of Gang Research. 12 (3): 1–16.
2. ↑ Randal Rust. "Ku Klux Klan". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "General Article: Rise of the Ku Klux Klan". American Experience. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved October 29, 2016.