Klu Klux Klan essays

Klu Klux Klan essays Discuss to what extent did the Ku Klux Klan contributed to racial disharmony in American society during the early 1900s. While the Ku Klux Klan contributed to racial disharmony in America during the early 1900s, it was more an expression of the most extreme elements of hatred that already existed in the society. Racial disharmony was evident in American society since the introduction of Black slaves, but it intensified after the American Civil War because of the poor economic conditions that followed and continuing white opposition to equal rights for blacks. The Ku Klux Klan were able to flourish in this atmosphere of discontent, setting horrifying examples for people to follow and acting as a role model for others in the new century, but they didnt succeed in stopping American society from advancing. Racial disharmony was first evident in American society after Black Africans were sent as slaves to work on southern plantations by 1850, nearly four million Black slaves were working on plantations. In 1861 war broke out between the northern and southern states because those in the North believed the slaves should be freed. The North won the war and the slaves were freed, but racial tensions flared because most of the white population in the South were bitterly dissatisfied with the outcome. Although equal rights were implied for all, in reality this was not the case for Blacks. Blacks were separated from whites and were deprived of employment and education. Many whites despised and feared the Blacks, who were often terrorised or murdered by whites. The situation was made worse because there was great competition for jobs and resources after the war. The southerners had suffered greatly many had lost friends and loved ones and their homes and plantations. It was against this bac kground of anger and resentment that the Ku Klux Klan was able to develop and thrive. The Ku Klux Klan began in 1865 during the reco...