The KKK (Ku Klux Klan) originated from the southern part of the United States. It then spread to the northern parts of the nation. The mastermind under this violent organization was a dentist during the 1920’s, Hiram Wesley Evans. His goal as the leader of the Klan was to terrorize African Americans and target their houses by burning it down, killing slaves and individual families. The Ku Klux Klan killed over 5,000 people and injured many severely.
Violence like beating, raping, and then hanging was the way of attack.
Hiram Wesley Evans in what was known as the “glory suit” –white robes and pointed hats. He was leading the Klan as they marched the parade in Washington, D.C.
Hiram Wesley Evans (1881-1966) born in Alabama. He studied dentistry at Vanderbilt University, and then practiced dentistry after earning his license in 1920. He married Barn Hill, and had three children. He was involved in political elections and wrote several books like The Klan of Tomorrow (1924). Evans personally believed in Christianity and he attended church. Because of his beliefs, he also wanted to target Jews, Catholics, and liberals, etc. He thought that those who believed in different ideas were less superior to him.
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This picture shows a Klansman from the KKK, he is wearing a white robe with a pointed top hat with the Klan symbol. Most importantly, he is raising his right arm with a cross. The cross represents the belief that any other form of religion or ideas were not right. The KKK was a fight for Americanism, the idea that only Americans with similar beliefs can unite, and the people like immigrants, Jews, Catholics, and African Americans were wrong and therefore treated unequally, and targeted as a threat to the future of America.
This picture shows a Klansman from the KKK, he is wearing a white robe with a pointed top hat with the Klan symbol. Most importantly, he is raising his right arm with a cross. The cross represents the belief that any other form of religion or ideas were not right. The KKK was a fight for Americanism, the idea that only Americans with similar beliefs can unite, and the people like immigrants, Jews, Catholics, and African Americans were wrong and therefore treated unequally, and targeted as a threat to the future of America.
As the Ku Klux Klan was spreading widely, posters and signs of propaganda were used to recruit more Klansmen to join in; the Klan grew rapidly to 4 million members.