It was strongest in midwestern and western communities. On page 51 he states that the klan resorted to burning crosses and even school buses in pontiac, michigan. Thus the klan goes back to the american racial instincts, and to the common sense which is their first product, as the basis of its beliefs and methods. This fear of the klan was very real because, for a long time, the klan had the. For many americans virility xor the willingness to fight or racial purity were. Alexander, the ku klux klan in the southwest lexington. Americanism is a set of united states patriotic values aimed at creating a collective american identity, and can be defined as an articulation of the nations rightful place in the world, a set of traditions, a political language, and a cultural style imbued with political meaning. Donald trumps language is similar to the 1920s ku klux. This book offers an introduction to american studies by examining the myths that made america, i. Klan and other nativist groups were able to rise quickly and gain. Donald trumps language is similar to the 1920s ku klux klan. Jan, 2015 the enormous popularity of the film sparked a klan revival in the 1920s, and by 1925, four million americans claimed membership.
One by one all our traditional moral standards went by the boards, or were so disregarded that they ceased to be binding evans, 153. This is not to say that the klan has gathered into its membership all who are ready to fight for america. Apr 02, 2021 fast forward to things like the relationship between thich nhat hanh and dr. In 1926, hiram wesley evans, then imperial wizard and emperor of the ku klux klan, published the klan s fight for americanism, a leaflet that set forth the principles and fundamentals of what many called the revival of the kkk in 1920s america, a new version of the organization that was originally formed by nathan bedford forrest after the civil war in an effort to maintain the. The klan, therefore, has now come to speak for the great mass of americans of the old pioneer stock. The backlash against alien groups infesting american life after world war i assumed its most virulent form in a revival of the ku klux klan. Evans the klan s imperial wizard in the 1920s explains his beliefs of how immigrants in america were demoralizing the nordic race. Jan 25, 2017 the historian david chalmers, author of hooded americanism. An early effort to fight this trend was rands textbook of americanism, which she began writing in 1946 but was left unfinished. Sanford locklear, simeon oxendine and neill lowery were. The ku klux klan was an instrument of fear, and black people, jews and even white civil rights workers knew that the fear was intended to control us, to keep things as they had been in the south through slavery, and after that ended, through jim crow. The klan leadership crafted a religious organization, and the imperial. After joining the klu klux klan in 1920, hiram evans devoted most of his time to the klan.
Nonetheless, the klan s fight for americanism makes no apologies for its members attempts to impose their views upon liberals, immigrants, catholics, jews, or peoples of color. It is timely since it emphasizes the undeniable persistence of terrorism in american life during that tie period. The klans fight for americanism by hiram wesley evans the. Watts, c1981 includes bibliographical references p. The history of the ku klux klan, has called the 1920s klan a great fraternal lodge with nationwide political power. Catholic churches across the brooklyn diocese started to push back against klan propaganda and political influence.
Except for a few lonesome voices, almost drowned by the clamor of the alien and the alienminded liberal, the klan alone faces the invader. The second ku klux klan rose to prominence in the 1920s and, at its peak, claimed millions of americans as members. Apr 02, 2021 and now, as were seeing asian americans come into this conversation a bit more on a wider scale, on a grander scale, what were seeing is the capacity of asian americans to say, ok, black lives matter is this thing, the fight against antiasian violence is this thing. In what none of their avid followers would have mistaken for praise, they flayed every organizational aspect of. The history of the kkk in american politics jstor daily. It is comprehensive, making it more of an easier read for how long the book is. An analysis of the klans fight for americanism essay. The articles reported claims that klan membership in northern illinois numbered close to. Klansmen wrapped themselves in the flag and the cross and proclaimed themselves the moral guardians of america.
The ku klux klan in the 1920s bill of rights institute. Nov 04, 2016 in the 1920s she published a series of three widelyread books, extolling the klan as the savior of america, and even a redeemer figure foretold in biblical prophecy. The online books page the klan s fight for americanism. Feb 28, 2011 this report on the history of the ku klux klan, americas first terrorist organization, was prepared by the klanwatch project of the southern poverty law center. We begin the first part of the book with a general overview of antiimmigrant.
The ku klux klan conspiracy and southern reconstruction new york. Evans, the klan s fight for americanism 1926 the backlash against alien groups infesting american life after world war i assumed its most virulent form in a revival of the ku klux klan, which had its origins in the rural south after the civil war. Ku klux klan new ojp resources office of justice programs. We are demanding, arid we expect to win, a return of power into the.
Many white, lower middleclass, protestant americans in the north and midwest were fearful that immigrants were changing traditional american culture, and they. Americans were blamed for radicalism and antiamericanism. In the waning years of reconstruction the klan disbanded. The klan literally is once more the embattled american farmer and artisan, coordinated into a disciplined and growing army, and launched upon a definite crusade for americanism. Chalmers has steeped himself in the details of the kkk organization, personalities, and intrigue, and particularly their relation to the entire nation. Most people have no idea what the united states represents. Whereas the 1925 investigation allowed the klan to continue to claim a 100% americanism, huac unequivocally declared the klan of the 1960s to be entirely unamerican. The article elaborates on how catholic groups such as the holy name society fought bigotry from the local klan, through the use of mass rallies and endorsement of local political candidates. Grant, reconstruction and the kkk american experience. The klan suggested that the oldstock americans were from the nordic race. Analysis of the klans fight for americanism 790 words.
A journal for true american patriots, encouraged members to recommend and become candidates for office to accomplish their. We believe that it does fairly and faithfully represent them, and our proof lies in their support. Hiram evans on the the klans fight for americanism 1926. The spirit of the klan haunts the 2016 election a friendly. Sanford locklear, simeon oxendine and neill lowery were leaders of the lumbee who attacked the klansmen. Over 72 years in the making, a new textbook of americanism.
The history of the ku klux klan and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. In this speech he reveals that the klan was fundamentally a protest against all of the ills associated with modern culture. The most prominent of these, the ku klux klan, was formed in pulaski, tennessee, in 1865. But bad press and power struggles tore the group apart again in the.
Hooded americanism is exhaustive in its very detailed and its way of painting the picture of a century of fear. Au contraire mr chalmers, distressed parents of kids that were ordered to be bussed were sick and tired of three hour bus rides just so their kids could go to school with black kids burned the buses, not in jim crow days but in 1972. The politics of ayn rand blazons the principle on which america was foundedindividualism. The only work that treats ku kluxism for the entire period of its existence. The klan targeted the knights of columbus as a militaristic organization, claiming that it plotted to take over america and that all members had to. His point of view coincides with the klan s views in that white protestants are the best race in the world and no other is equal. But unfortunately it did represent that part of americanism that has, from the beginning 400 years ago, been. The ku klux klan was founded in 1866 by exconfederate soldiers and other southerners opposed to reconstruction after the civil war. Originally founded as a social club for former confederate soldiers, the klan evolved into a terrorist. Properly understood, the country is not based on god, service or country first but on the radical principle of individual rightsas only rand can properly define.
The klan s fight for americanism was written by hiram evans. The organization appealed to many respectable, middleclass americans. It wasnt long before evans was appointed imperial wizard of the klan which happened in 1922. In the enclosed research, comparisons are made through the changing demographics between long island protestants and immigrant catholic populations of 1920s and the rise of the ku klux klan. Hiram evans on the the klans fight for americanism 1926 the second ku klux klan rose to prominence in the 1920s and, at its peak, claimed millions of americans as members. Imperial wizard and emperor, knights of the ka klux klan. Hiram evans on the the klan s fight for americanism 1926 the second ku klux klan rose to prominence in the 1920s and, at its peak, claimed millions of americans as members. It was strongest in midwestern and western communities, including many small cities, and its main targets were catholics and jews rather than african americans. In the 1870s, when klan members whipped and murdered thousands of african americans to sabotage reconstruction, they said they were. Mencken and george jean nathan, the recognized high priests of criticism of the american scene, described the ku klux klan for smart set, their journal of satirical sophistication. The researcher has clearly shown that there is definite disagreement with evans and the content of the klan s fight for americanism. Having the benefit of viewing the publication in hindsight, it is clearly seen that the american landscape would be vastly different in the 21st century if evans ruled the 20th.
University of northern iowa the klan s fight for americanism authors. Linda elaine kilgore, the ku klux klan and the press in texas m. One by one all our traditional moral standards went by the boards, or were so. The history of solidarity between asian and black americans. Anti klan unification came with the knights of columbus and the holy name society. Klanwatch was formed in 1981 to help curb klan and racist violence through litigation, education and monitoring. The klan is the champion, but it is not merely an organization. The battle of hayes pond or maxton riot was an armed confrontation between members of the ku klux klan and the lumbee native americans at a klan rally near maxton, north carolina, on the night of january 18, 1958. Seventytwo years later, a new textbook of americanism. The college board advanced placement examination american. Hiram evans, the klans fight for americanism, 1926 the revived ku klux klan of the 1920s differed markedly from the klan in the reconstruction era. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Evans fully supports the klan and all of their ideas and was a sort of spokesperson for them in a way. The police chief of bakersfield was a klansman and so was the magistrate.
Instead it sounds a clarion call for the klan s progressive conservatism and celebrates its influence in american public life. Hiram evans on the the klans fight for americanism. The politics of ayn rand addresses the questions she did not answer then, building on her insights to illuminate americanism and its. Local political fights, business solidarity, and to a lesser degree the fraternal aspects played an important role in the growing strength of the klan.
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