History of the Ku Klux Klan

The image of vigilantes clothed in flowing white robes and high pointed white masks mounted on white bedecked horses invoke ominous memories of American extremism and terror. They were called "Klansmen" - a post Civil War throng of former Confederate partisans seeking to oppose the aims of the Reconstruction under the name Ku Klux Klan.

A play on the words "clan" and "kyklos", which was the Greek word for circle, the name Ku Klux Klan was adopted by a Confederate Army veterans club at Pulaski, Tennessee in May of 1866. Soon after its inception, other vigilante groups were absorbed into the Klan spurred on by its call for "white supremacy". The riders' attire signifies the spirits of the dead armies of the Confederate States returning from the war. Parading in silence, the feet of their horses padded, they impressed white Americans sympathetic to the Democratic Party, but at the same time instilled fear among black Americans.

In April of 1867, a convention of local Klans established itself as the "Invisible Empire of the South" with General Nathan Bedford Forrest elected as Grand Wizard of the Empire. The organizations hierarchy also employed menacing titles for its ranks - a Grand Dragon governed Realms (a Confederate State) and Dominions (counties) were under a Grand Titan while Grand Giants controlled provinces. Individual clansmen were also referred to as Ghouls.

The Ku Klux Klan was notorious for breaking up black assemblies, even mundane prayer meetings. They were responsible for assassinations of Republican leaders both blacks and whites. They would ride at midnight invading the homes of black families, confiscating firearms. Come election time, the Klan effectively drove black voters away from the polls. Schoolteachers of black children were also subject to intimidation. Those who tried to oppose them were flogged. Infamous of all iconic representations of the Ku Klux Klan are victims of lynching, summarily executed against the backdrop of a burning cross.