Klu Klux Klan founded

Historical Context Note

Lucas Paul Richert (University of Saskatchewan)
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In 1866, the Ku Klux Klan was formed secretly in the South to terrorize blacks and fight Radical Reconstruction. The organization was disbanded in 1869-1871. The organization started in Nashville, Tennessee, and its members fought for the restoration of white supremacy in the South. The organizational hierarchy saw a Grand Wizard as the leader. Below him were Grand Dragons, Grand Titans, and Grand Cyclopses. Nathan Bedford Forrest, a cavalry general during the Civil War, was the organizationÆs first supreme leader. Klansmen carried out acts of terror after the creation of the group; such acts included evening raids, whippings, and lynchings. In 1869, however, Forrest ordered that the Ku Klux Klan be formally disbanded. Despite the order, many Klansmen continued to carry out act of…

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Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Klu Klux Klan founded". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 February 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=5968, accessed 19 March 2024.]

5968 Klu Klux Klan founded 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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