The Ku Klux Klan emerged in Wood County, Ohio, in late 1922, and at its peak, the white supremacist group numbered nearly 1,400 members in the county. Klan members occupied many municipal and county-elected positions, and nearly 40 percent of the Protestant ministers of Wood County joined the group in the 1920s. The Klan engaged in cross burnings, public marches and vigilante activities here during the 1920s and 1930s. Join author Michael Brooks as he examines the unsettling history of the KKK in Wood County.
The Second Ku Klux Klan’s success in the 1920s remains one of the order’s most enduring mysteries. Emerging first as a brotherhood dedicated to paying tribute to the original Southern organization of the Reconstruction period, the Second Invisible Empire developed into a mass movement with millions of members that influenced politics and culture throughout the early 1920s. This study explores the nature of fraternities, especially the overlap between the Klan and Freemasonry. Drawing on many previously untouched archival resources, it presents a detailed and nuanced analysis of the development and later decline of the Klan and the complex nature of its relationship with the traditions of American fraternalism.
The Sioux constitute a diverse group of tribes who claimed and controlled almost a quarter of the continental U.S. from the late 1700s to the 1860s. The name Sioux was coined by French traders and was taken from the Anishinabe word Nadoweisiw-eg, meaning little snake or enemy. The rival Chippewa (Ojibway/Anishinabe) tribe used this term to describe the group. The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, a central part of the Great Sioux Reservation, is home to four bands of the Western Lakota Sioux prominently featured in this book: the Minnicoujou, Itazipco, Siha Sapa, and Oohenumpa.
Fifty years after the end of the Civil War, William Joseph Simmons, a failed Methodist minister, formed a fraternal order that he called The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Organised primarily a money-making scheme, it shared little but its name with the Ku Klux Klan of the reconstruction Era. This original and meticulously researched history of America's second Ku Klux Klan presents many new and fascinating insights into this unique and important episode in American History.
Prepare to journey into a controversial and tumultuous period of American history with Jr. Thomas Dixon's "The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan." Delve into the heart of the Reconstruction era as Dixon weaves a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and racial conflict. Follow the intertwined fates of two families against the backdrop of post-Civil War America, as they grapple with the profound social and political changes sweeping across the South. Through vivid prose and rich historical detail, Dixon paints a vivid portrait of a society torn apart by violence and prejudice. Explore the themes and motifs that permeate Dixon's narrative, from the struggle for power and dominance to the enduring legacy of slavery and segregation. His portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan and its role in shaping the course of history offers a provocative and sometimes unsettling glimpse into a dark chapter of American history. Embark on a comprehensive character analysis as Dixon brings to life a cast of complex and conflicted individuals, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas and personal demons. From the fiery rhetoric of the Klan leader to the quiet courage of those who resist its tyranny, Dixon's characters resonate with depth and authenticity. The overall tone of "The Clansman" is one of tension and suspense, as Dixon explores the volatile dynamics of race, class, and power in the aftermath of the Civil War. His narrative is both provocative and thought-provoking, challenging readers to confront the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on American society. Since its publication, "The Clansman" has been the subject of intense controversy and debate, with critics condemning its glorification of racism and violence, while others defend it as a work of historical fiction. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, Dixon's novel remains a compelling and provocative exploration of one of the darkest periods in American history. As you immerse yourself in Dixon's narrative, you'll find yourself drawn into a world of passion, intrigue, and moral ambiguity. His vivid storytelling and evocative prose make "The Clansman" a gripping read that will leave a lasting impression on readers long after the final page is turned. Don't miss your chance to explore the complexities of race and power in post-Civil War America with Jr. Thomas Dixon's "The Clansman." Whether you're drawn to its historical significance or its controversial themes, this provocative novel is sure to spark conversation and inspire reflection on the enduring legacy of slavery and segregation in America.
Four stories of resilience, mutual aid, and radical rebellion that will transform how we understand the Great Depression Drawing on little-known stories of working people, What Can We Learn from the Great Depression? amplifies voices that have been long omitted from standard histories of the Depression era. In four tales, Professor Dana Frank explores how ordinary working people in the US turned to collective action to meet the crisis of the Great Depression and what we can learn from them today. Readers are introduced to * the 7 daring Black women who worked as wet nurses and staged a sit-down strike to demand better pay and an end to racial discrimination * the groups who used mutual aid, cooperatives, eviction protests, and demands for government relief to meet their basic needs * the million Mexican and Mexican American repatriados who were erased from mainstream historical memory, while (often fictitious) white “Dust Bowl migrants” became enshrined * the Black Legion, a white supremacist fascist organization that saw racism, antisemitism, anti-Catholicism, and fascism as the cure to the Depression While capitalism crashed during the Great Depression, racism did not and was, in fact, wielded by some to blame and oppress their neighbors. Patriarchy persisted, too, undermining the power of social movements and justifying women’s marginalization within them. For other ordinary people, collective action gave them the means to survive and fight against such hostilities. What resulted were powerful new forms of horizontal reciprocity and solidarity that allowed people to provide each other with the bread, beans, and comradeship of daily life. The New Deal, when it arrived, provided vital resources to many, but others were cut off from its full benefits, especially if they were women or people of color. What Can We Learn from the Great Depression? shows us how we might look to the past to think about how we can shape the future of our own failed economy. These lessons can also help us imagine and build movements to challenge such an economy—and to transform the state as a whole—in service to the common good without replicating racism and patriarchy.
A memoir of the author's involvment with the Ku Klux Klan. He introduced the KKK to Tennessee while recruiting new members there and later became disenchanted with the group after learning about their racist ideology. The book begins with a history of the origins of secret societies in medieval Germany and the KKK.
Hate Groups: A Reference Handbook offers answers to essential questions about hate groups in a way that is accessible to students and general readers interested in this important topic. Hate Groups: A Reference Handbook covers the topic of hate groups from the earliest pages of human history to the present day. Chapters One and Two provide a historical background of the topic and a review of current problems, controversies, and solutions. The remainder of the book consists of chapters that aid readers in continuing their research on the topic, such as an extended annotated bibliography, a chronology, a glossary, lists of noteworthy individuals and organizations in the field, and important data and documents. The variety of resources provided, such as further reading, perspective essays about hate groups, a historical timeline, and useful terms in the field, differentiates this book from others of its kind. It is intended for readers of high school through the community college level, along with adult readers who may be interested in the topic.
