Founding of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important or significant to Georgia’s history?
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was founded by Confederate veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865. The main figures involved in the founding of the KKK were six former Confederate soldiers: John C. Lester, John B. Kennedy, Frank O. McCord, Richard R. Reed, J. Calvin Jones, and James R. Crowe.
The KKK was a secret organization that aimed to intimidate and suppress African Americans, especially those who had recently gained their freedom after the Civil War. They used violence, terror, and intimidation tactics to assert white supremacy and undermine the political and social rights of African Americans.
The event took place in Pulaski, Tennessee, where the KKK was initially founded. However, the organization quickly spread to other southern states, including Georgia.
The founding of the KKK took place in 1865, just after the end of the Civil War.
This event is significant to Georgia's history as it highlights the persistent racism and white supremacy that existed in the state during the Reconstruction era. The KKK played a major role in promoting and enforcing racial segregation, denying African Americans their rights, and maintaining white control over society. The organization's influence and activities had a lasting impact on Georgia's social and political landscape, contributing to a long history of racial tension and inequality in the state.