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[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line).<br>Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]

[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line).<br>Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]

:{{See also|Insurrection_Act#Posse_Comitatus_Act}}

:{{See also|Insurrection_Act#Posse_Comitatus_Act}}

The first KKK was an movement of white Southerners who opposed [[Reconstruction]].  It was founded in 1866 by members of the [[Democrat Party]] to inflicting violence against black leaders and white Republicans.<ref>http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan</ref>  Its purpose was to take control and return Democrats to power.  One of the founders, and the first "Grand Wizard," was former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  Attempts were made to break up the Klan by President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and the U.S. Army using the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act).  

The first KKK was a movement of Democrats who opposed [[Reconstruction]].  It was founded in 1866 by members of the [[Democrat Party]] to inflicting violence against black leaders and white Republicans.<ref>http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan</ref>  Its purpose was to take control and return Democrats to power.  One of the founders, and the first "Grand Wizard," was former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  Attempts were made to break up the Klan by President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and the U.S. Army using the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act).

Republicans stripped [[white]] [[male]]s who engaged in rebellion against the [[United States]] of the [[vote]], and gave it to Blacks. Newly freed Blacks held local, state and federal elected and non-elected positions as Republicans. The white males who were deprived of the vote were also barred from holding any civil service position and were universally Democrats.  This disenfranchisement created enormous resentment among Democrats, so they formed the Ku Klux Klan to engage in voter intimidation and suppression.  

The Ku Klux Klan started attacking Black Republican conventions.  At the Republican convention in Louisiana, the Klan joined with [[New Orleans]] police and New Orleans' Democrat mayor. The New Orleans Republican convention was attacked.  40 Blacks and 20 whites were killed. Another 150 were wounded.  In 1868 the Democrats put out push cards in South Carolina listing what they called the 'radical' members of the South Carolina legislature.  A push card is about the size of a baseball card.  The cards had the pictures of 63 legislators they wanted to kill.  50 of the legislators were Black and 13 were white.  All 63 were Republicans.  On the back of the was the name of the legislator.

The Ku Klux Klan started attacking Black Republican conventions.  At the Republican convention in Louisiana, the Klan joined with [[New Orleans]] police and New Orleans' Democrat mayor. The New Orleans Republican convention was attacked.  40 Blacks and 20 whites were killed. Another 150 were wounded.  In 1868 the Democrats put out push cards in South Carolina listing what they called the 'radical' members of the South Carolina legislature.  A push card is about the size of a baseball card.  The cards had the pictures of 63 legislators they wanted to kill.  50 of the legislators were Black and 13 were white.  All 63 were Republicans.  On the back of the was the name of the legislator.

 

In 1872 Congress held hearings on the Klan.  Democrat leaders from Democrat States admitted under oath unequivocally that the Klan belonged to the Democrat party and their propose was to restore control in Southern states to the Democratic party.  The Congressional Hearings make up 13 volumes.  Black congressmen John Roy Lynch and Richard Cain went to Congress armed for fear of Klan attacks.  Blacks testified that they instructed by the Klan and Democrats that, if they would stop voting the Republican ticket and would agree to vote the straight Democrat ticket, all the violence against Blacks would stop.

In 1872 Congress held hearings on the Klan.  Democrat leaders from Democrat States admitted under oath unequivocally that the Klan belonged to the Democrat party and their propose was to restore control in Southern states to the Democratic party.  The Congressional Hearings make up 13 volumes.  Black congressmen John Roy Lynch and Richard Cain went to Congress armed for fear of Klan attacks.  Blacks testified that they instructed by the Klan and Democrats that, if they would stop voting the Republican ticket and would agree to vote the straight Democrat ticket, all the violence against Blacks would stop.

[[African American]]s in the South were left to the mercy of increasingly hostile state governments dominated by white Democratic legislatures; neither the legislatures, law enforcement or the courts worked to protect freedmen.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties|author=Finkelman, Paul|year=2006}}</ref> As [[Democrats]] regained power in the late 1870s, they struggled to suppress black voting through intimidation and fraud at the polls. [[Paramilitary]] groups such as the [[Red Shirts]] acted on behalf of the Democrats to suppress black voting. From 1890 to 1908, 10 of the 11 former Confederate states passed disfranchising constitutions or amendments,<ref>{{cite book|title=Democracy's Privileged Few|author=Chafetz, Joshua Aaron|year=2007}}</ref> with provisions for [[poll tax]]es,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004">{{cite book|title=From Jim Crow to Civil Rights|author=Klarman, Michael J.|year=2004}}</ref> residency requirements, [[literacy test]]s,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004"/> and [[grandfather clause]]s that effectively disfranchised most black voters and many poor white people. The disfranchisement also meant that black people could not serve on juries or hold any political office, which were restricted to voters; those who could not vote were excluded from the political system.

[[African American]]s in the South were left to the mercy of increasingly hostile state governments dominated by white Democratic legislatures; neither the legislatures, law enforcement or the courts worked to protect freedmen.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties|author=Finkelman, Paul|year=2006}}</ref> As [[Democrats]] regained power in the late 1870s, they struggled to suppress black voting through intimidation and fraud at the polls. [[Paramilitary]] groups such as the [[Red Shirts]] acted on behalf of the Democrats to suppress black voting. From 1890 to 1908, 10 of the 11 former Confederate states passed disfranchising constitutions or amendments,<ref>{{cite book|title=Democracy's Privileged Few|author=Chafetz, Joshua Aaron|year=2007}}</ref> with provisions for [[poll tax]]es,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004">{{cite book|title=From Jim Crow to Civil Rights|author=Klarman, Michael J.|year=2004}}</ref> residency requirements, [[literacy test]]s,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004"/> and [[grandfather clause]]s that effectively disfranchised most black voters and many poor white people. The disfranchisement also meant that black people could not serve on juries or hold any political office, which were restricted to voters; those who could not vote were excluded from the political system.

 

According to the BrainPOP movie about Reconstruction, the first iteration of the KKK began to decline during the presidency of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]].

According to the BrainPOP movie about Reconstruction, the first iteration of the KKK began to decline during the presidency of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]].

==Second KKK: The 1920s==

==Second KKK: The 1920s==

The second KKK was a nonviolent membership organization in the 1920s that reached hundreds of thousands&mdash;possibly millions&mdash;of men in every state. It was mostly a [[Ponzi scheme]], whereby the organizers took all the money (for initiation fees and costumes).  When they had organized an area they moved on, leaving local chapters without money or leadership.  No prominent American admitted he was a member at the time, but state organizers claimed vast powers.  There is a possibility that some local Klans in the deep South engaged in violence against blacks, but historians are unsure; allegations of systematic violence were common but have not been verified.  In recent years historians have found enough records to show that local chapters were primarily discussion groups, often with speakers who denounced Catholics, Jews, crime and violation of the prohibition laws.   

The second KKK was a nonviolent membership organization in the 1920s that reached hundreds of thousands&mdash;possibly millions&mdash;of men in every state. It was mostly a [[Ponzi scheme]], whereby the organizers took all the money (for initiation fees and costumes).  When they had organized an area they moved on, leaving local chapters without money or leadership.  No prominent American admitted he was a member at the time, but state organizers claimed vast powers.  There is a possibility that some local Klans in the deep South engaged in violence against blacks, but historians are unsure; allegations of systematic violence were common but have not been verified.  In recent years historians have found enough records to show that local chapters were primarily discussion groups, often with speakers who denounced Catholics, Jews, crime and violation of the prohibition laws.   

In [[Oregon]] during 1922, the Klan and their ally Gov. [[Walter M. Pierce]] successfully pushed to end [[school choice]] with the Compulsory Public Education Act,<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/packets/1 "Mixing the Devil's Broth": The KKK and the Compulsory Education Act of 1922]. ''Oregon Encyclopedia''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref><ref>Donohue, Bill (June 30, 2020). [https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/bill-donohue/scotus-school-choice-decision-win-against-anti-catholic-bigotry SCOTUS School Choice Decision Is a Win Against Anti-Catholic Bigotry]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref> which required all children in the state to attend [[public schools]] where their minds could not be free from [[indoctrination]].<ref name=piercevssocietyofsisters>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/court-cases/pierce-v-society-sisters Pierce v. Society of Sisters]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/younghistorians/2012/oralpres/6/ The Quiet Bigotry of Oregon's Compulsory Public Education Act]. ''PDXScholar''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref><ref>Kirsanow, Peter (March 3, 2021). [https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/no-escape-from-progressive-education/ No Escape from Progressive Education]. ''National Review''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref> It effectively shut down private Catholic schools, which the KKK despised.<ref>Streit, Katie (July 22, 2020). [https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/the-history-of-racism-in-southern-oregon-part-two-133142/ The history of racism in Southern Oregon: part two]. ''KOTI-TV-NBC2''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref> The measure was supported by the public school establishment and opposed by blacks, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, and Adventists. It was struck down three years later by the unanimous [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] decision in ''[[Pierce v. Society of Sisters]]'', with the opinion notably stating:<ref name=piercevssocietyofsisters/>

In [[Oregon]] during 1922, the Klan and their ally Gov. [[Walter M. Pierce]] successfully pushed to end [[school choice]] with the Compulsory Public Education Act,<ref>[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/packets/1 "Mixing the Devil's Broth": The KKK and the Compulsory Education Act of 1922]. ''Oregon Encyclopedia''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref><ref>Donohue, Bill (June 30, 2020). [https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/bill-donohue/scotus-school-choice-decision-win-against-anti-catholic-bigotry SCOTUS School Choice Decision Is a Win Against Anti-Catholic Bigotry]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref> which required all children in the state to attend [[public schools]] where their minds could not be free from [[indoctrination]].<ref name=piercevssocietyofsisters>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/court-cases/pierce-v-society-sisters Pierce v. Society of Sisters]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/younghistorians/2012/oralpres/6/ The Quiet Bigotry of Oregon's Compulsory Public Education Act]. ''PDXScholar''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref><ref>Kirsanow, Peter (March 3, 2021). [https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/no-escape-from-progressive-education/ No Escape from Progressive Education]. ''National Review''. Retrieved July 3, 2021.</ref> It effectively shut down private Catholic schools, which the KKK despised.<ref>Streit, Katie (July 22, 2020). [https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/the-history-of-racism-in-southern-oregon-part-two-133142/ The history of racism in Southern Oregon: part two]. ''KOTI-TV-NBC2''. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref> The measure was supported by the public school establishment and opposed by blacks, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, and Adventists. It was struck down three years later by the unanimous [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] decision in ''[[Pierce v. Society of Sisters]]'', with the opinion notably stating:<ref name=piercevssocietyofsisters/>

{{cquote|The child is not the mere creature of the state.}}

{{cquote|The child is not the mere creature of the state.}}

 

A series of scandals rocked the KKK's reputation and the group somewhat faded after the 1924 Democratic National Convention.

A series of scandals rocked the KKK's reputation and the group somewhat faded after the 1924 Democratic National Convention.

==Third Klan==

==Third Klan==

The third Klan currently exists and comprises a few thousand members in local chapters.  There is no real organization, and the group sponsors vehement hate talk as well as occasional violent threats and actions.  It is racist and aims at the suppression of African-American, Jewish, homosexual, and Catholic interests.  The current Klan presents itself as a "Christian" organization, but all denominations have rejected it as inherently non-Christian. Some Klansmen today practice [[Christian Identity]], which has also been condemned by every other [[Christian]] denomination.

The third Klan currently exists and comprises a few thousand members in local chapters.  There is no real organization, and the group sponsors vehement hate talk as well as occasional violent threats and actions.  It is racist and aims at the suppression of African-American, Jewish, homosexual, and Catholic interests.  The current Klan presents itself as a "Christian" organization, but all denominations have rejected it as inherently non-Christian. Some Klansmen today practice [[Christian Identity]], which has also been condemned by every other [[Christian]] denomination.

[[File:KKKrally1946.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Ku Klux Klan rally, unknown location, August, 1951]]

[[File:KKKrally1946.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Ku Klux Klan rally, unknown location, August, 1951]]

Democrat Sen. [[Robert Byrd]] joined the Klan in the 1940s and was unanimously elected to the rank of [[Exalted Cyclops]] for his inborn leadership skills.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">Pianin, Eric. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html A Senator's Shame: Byrd, in His New Book, Again Confronts Early Ties to KKK]. Washington Post, 2005-06-19, pp. A01</ref><ref>https://allthatsinteresting.com/famous-kkk-members</ref> He repeatedly expressed his desire for the Klan to expand to its previous size and power, once remarking in a letter that "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia" and "in every state in the nation." <ref>King, Colbert I. [http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2003/commentary/works/king2.html Sen. Byrd: The view from Darrell's barbershop], Washington Post, March 2, 2002</ref>

{{Cquote|Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.}} Bilbo  told ''[[Meet the Press]]'' in a 1949 interview: {{cquote|No man can leave the Klan. He takes an oath not to do that. Once a Ku Klux, always a Ku Klux.<ref>[http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf Robert L. Fleegler, "Theodore G. Bilbo and the Decline of Public Racism, 1938–1947"],''The Journal of Mississippi History'', Spring 2006. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160103063503/http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf]</ref>}}

[[File:RR-KKK.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ronald Reagan]] starred as the crusading district attorney battling the Klan in this 1951 film.<ref>See [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044075/usercomments analysis of film]</ref>]]

[[File:RR-KKK.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ronald Reagan]] starred as the crusading district attorney battling the Klan in this 1951 film.<ref>See [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044075/usercomments analysis of film]</ref>]]

Democrats tried to block passage of the [[bi-partisan]] [[1964 Civil Rights Act]] by filibustering for 75 hours, led by a 14-hour and 13-minute speech by the Exalted Cyclops Sen. Byrd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Byrd Says He Regrets Voting For Patriot Act |agency=Associated Press |work=[[Common Dreams NewsCenter|Common Dreams]] |date=February 28, 2006 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |accessdate=|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919043913/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |archivedate=September 19, 2006 }}</ref>  The law was intended to block Republican gains in the South followed by buying off Blacks with [[Great Society]] [[welfare]] and [[affirmative action]] programs.  By the 1960s the Klan was so thoroughly infiltrated by [[FBI]] informers, the joke existed that a Klan cell of 6 members often consisted of 5 FBI informants and one klansman.  In 1981 when the Republicans took control of the Senate for the first time in 28 years, the Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd was again elected Democrat Senate Leader to oppose [[Ronald Reagan]].

Democrats tried to block passage of the [[bi-partisan]] [[1964 Civil Rights Act]] by filibustering for 75 hours, led by a 14-hour and 13-minute speech by the Exalted Cyclops Sen. Byrd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Byrd Says He Regrets Voting For Patriot Act |agency=Associated Press |work=[[Common Dreams NewsCenter|Common Dreams]] |date=February 28, 2006 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |accessdate=|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919043913/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |archivedate=September 19, 2006 }}</ref>  The law was intended to block Republican gains in the South followed by buying off Blacks with [[Great Society]] [[welfare]] and [[affirmative action]] programs.  By the 1960s the Klan was so thoroughly infiltrated by [[FBI]] informers, the joke existed that a Klan cell of 6 members often consisted of 5 FBI informants and one klansman.  In 1981 when the Republicans took control of the Senate for the first time in 28 years, the Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd was again elected Democrat Senate Leader to oppose [[Ronald Reagan]].

==21st Century==

==21st Century==

By the 1990s there were fewer than 10,000 members of the Klan.  Many so-called "chapters" or "hate groups," as measured by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'s newsletter ''Klanwatch'', consisted of a single individual.  The threat emanating from the Klan was often exaggerated to serve as a fundraising tool for anti-racist watchdog organizations.  Chat rooms and discussion boards were set up by anti-racist watchdog groups in the hopes of baiting in a young person to identify who may be susceptible to extremist recruiting.  These chat rooms and discussion groups also served the dual purpose of making the Klan threat  appear larger than it actually was for fundraising purposes.

By the 1990s there were fewer than 10,000 members of the Klan.  Many so-called "chapters" or "hate groups," as measured by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'s newsletter ''Klanwatch'', consisted of a single individual.  The threat emanating from the Klan was often exaggerated to serve as a fundraising tool for anti-racist watchdog organizations.  Chat rooms and discussion boards were set up by anti-racist watchdog groups in the hopes of baiting in a young person to identify who may be susceptible to extremist recruiting.  These chat rooms and discussion groups also served the dual purpose of making the Klan threat  appear larger than it actually was for fundraising purposes.

 

During the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], the KKK (along with former Klansman [[David Duke]]), in possible [[collusion]] with the Democrat Party, pretended to "support" [[Donald Trump]] for President as part of a strategy to discredit Trump and make sure he would lose the election by making a false connection between the KKK and the Republicans (as the Democrats have done since 1964<ref>[http://www.blackandblondemedia.com/2009/01/14/democrat-race-lie/ The Democrat Race Lie] at Black & Right</ref>).  However, because the Republicans have always opposed the KKK and despise what it stands for,<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/07/the-ugly-history-of-democratic-suppression-of-blacks/ The Ugly History of Democratic Suppression of Blacks] at WND</ref> and because the Democrat-KKK connection is public knowledge despite the efforts of Democrats and liberals (particularly in the [[mainstream media]]) to bury and deny this historic fact,<ref>[http://blackrepublican.blogspot.ca/2015/10/the-ku-klux-klan-was-terrorist-arm-of_56.html The Ku Klux Klan was the Terrorist Arm of the Democrat Party]</ref> the KKK scheme to try to discredit Trump by publicly pretending to endorse him backfired as he rejected the "endorsement" and the public saw through the KKK's ruse, leading KKK Grand Dragon Will Quigg, who formerly pretended to support Trump, to show his and his organization's true colors, and those of the Democrats, by now publicly supporting Democrat nominee [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-14/ku-klux-klan-grand-dragon-will-quigg-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon Will Quigg Endorses Hillary Clinton for President] at U.S. News & World Report</ref> Hillary, who has [[Hillary Rodham Clinton#Racism|her own history of racism]] and whose mentor, late Democrat senator Robert Byrd, was himself a longtime KKK member,<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> did not reject the KKK's campaign endorsement of her, which was one of the contributing factors toward her downfall in the election as Trump won the presidency, ultimately making the Democrat-KKK scheme against him fruitless.  In multiple [[George Soros]] funded protests against Trump, many liberals dressed themselves in KKK robes and pretended to "support" Trump, holding signs that said "KKK wants Trump" and "Make America White Again" while the DNC created an attack ad claiming that the KKK is "actively supporting" Trump.<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOYADCDSyY</ref>

During the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], the KKK (along with former Klansman [[David Duke]]), in possible [[collusion]] with the Democrat Party, pretended to "support" [[Donald Trump]] for President as part of a strategy to discredit Trump and make sure he would lose the election by making a false connection between the KKK and the Republicans (as the Democrats have done since 1964<ref>[http://www.blackandblondemedia.com/2009/01/14/democrat-race-lie/ The Democrat Race Lie] at Black & Right</ref>).  However, because the Republicans have always opposed the KKK and despise what it stands for,<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/07/the-ugly-history-of-democratic-suppression-of-blacks/ The Ugly History of Democratic Suppression of Blacks] at WND</ref> and because the Democrat-KKK connection is public knowledge despite the efforts of Democrats and liberals (particularly in the [[mainstream media]]) to bury and deny this historic fact,<ref>[http://blackrepublican.blogspot.ca/2015/10/the-ku-klux-klan-was-terrorist-arm-of_56.html The Ku Klux Klan was the Terrorist Arm of the Democrat Party]</ref> the KKK scheme to try to discredit Trump by publicly pretending to endorse him backfired as he rejected the "endorsement" and the public saw through the KKK's ruse, leading KKK Grand Dragon Will Quigg, who formerly pretended to support Trump, to show his and his organization's true colors, and those of the Democrats, by now publicly supporting Democrat nominee [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-14/ku-klux-klan-grand-dragon-will-quigg-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon Will Quigg Endorses Hillary Clinton for President] at U.S. News & World Report</ref> Hillary, who has [[Hillary Rodham Clinton#Racism|her own history of racism]] and whose mentor, late Democrat senator Robert Byrd, was himself a longtime KKK member,<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> did not reject the KKK's campaign endorsement of her, which was one of the contributing factors toward her downfall in the election as Trump won the presidency, ultimately making the Democrat-KKK scheme against him fruitless.  In multiple [[George Soros]] funded protests against Trump, many liberals dressed themselves in KKK robes and pretended to "support" Trump, holding signs that said "KKK wants Trump" and "Make America White Again" while the DNC created an attack ad claiming that the KKK is "actively supporting" Trump.<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOYADCDSyY</ref>