Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan is a racist secret organization in the United States. Founded in 1866 after the American Civil War, the Klan used intimidation, violence and lynching to oppress African Americans. The aim was - and is - to restore white supremacy in the United States.¹

Fast Facts

1. Founders: John Lester, James Crowe, John Kennedy, Calvin Jones, Richard Reed, Frank McCord²
2. Founded: 1866²
3. Has many - around 40 - factions²
4. No single, unified Ku Klux Klan²
5. Around 100 chapters in various Klan organizations²
6. Strongest presence in the South/Midwest United States²
7. Mass mailings, leafleting and the Internet²
8. White supremacist ideology²
9. Christian-oriented²
10. Classified as a hate group²
11. First incarnation of the Klan declined by 1870¹
12. 1915: Second Klan formed when post-war tensions raised tensions¹
13. Second group more organized and had formal structure¹

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