Which of the following BEST explains the growing popularity of the Ku Klux Klan throughout the South in the 1860s and 1870s?(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AThe organization established the first public high schools and universities in many Southern States.%0D%0AThe organization established the first public high schools and universities in many Southern States.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe organization was the dominant political party in the South and helped influence federal policy. %0D%0AThe organization was the dominant political party in the South and helped influence federal policy. %0D%0A%0D%0AThe organization built many large factories and helped the South become a major manufacturing center. %0D%0AThe organization built many large factories and helped the South become a major manufacturing center. %0D%0A%0D%0AThe organization capitalized on Southerners' fear of the changes that occurred after the Civil War
The organization capitalized on Southerners' fear of the changes that occurred after the Civil War.
The correct explanation for the growing popularity of the Ku Klux Klan throughout the South in the 1860s and 1870s is that the organization capitalized on Southerners' fear of the changes that occurred after the Civil War. This response acknowledges the social and political climate of that time period, where there was widespread anxiety and resistance to the changes brought about by Reconstruction. The Ku Klux Klan exploited this fear and aimed to maintain white supremacy and social order by using intimidation and violence against African Americans and their supporters.
To arrive at this answer, we can consider the historical context and analyze the actions and goals of the organization. The Ku Klux Klan emerged in the aftermath of the Civil War when Southern society was grappling with the abolition of slavery and the increased influence of African Americans in political and social spheres. The Klan used racially motivated violence and intimidation to suppress the political and civil rights of African Americans and any individuals who supported their rights. This strategy allowed them to promote a narrative of fear, preserving white dominance and resisting social and political change.
It's essential to study primary and secondary sources, such as historical texts, firsthand accounts, and scholarly articles, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Ku Klux Klan's history and motivations.