Social Studies 5: The History of the Ku Klux Klan
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We know it isn't fun to hear about, but hate groups were and are unfortunately a part of history. And we hate them. But not in a hate-groupy way of course. Today's lesson is all about the Ku Klux Klan.
| 5th Grade | Social Studies |
| Elementary and Middle School | 5th Grade |
| Language | English Language |
Transcript
The Ku Klux Klan was founded in Tennessee in 1866
by six confederate veterans, who clearly had no fashion sense.
Its first leader was Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a guy who, if you can't already [Nathan Forrest]
tell just by looking at him, wasn't too happy with the outcome of the war, seeing as his [Nathan Forrest standing in a jail cell]
side lost and all.
The group's aim was to be the “invisible Empire of the South,” by scaring African
Americans and trying to tell everyone that white people were the best.
They did this through lots of violent acts towards African Americans, black institutions, [Black American in chains]
and black elected politicians.
Basically, they were a bunch of really nasty people.
As a response to the KKK's disgusting, inhuman behavior, the US government established the
1871 Ku Klux Klan Act, which aimed to put a stop to their violent acts. [The Ku Klux Klan act of 1871]
This act, along with the emergence of several other political groups, lead to a slow decline
of KKK's activities throughout the end of the 19th century, which made pretty much everyone
that wasn't the KKK super happy. [Group of people happy]
Sadly, the Klan experienced a revival in 1915, and throughout the 1920s, this time because
of ideas surrounding anti-immigration. That made pretty much everyone that wasn't the KKK super sad. [KKK protesting for anti-immigration]
It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
But then came with Great Depression in 1929, which sure, was pretty terrible for a lot
of reasons, but on the bright side, it led to the official end of the KKK in 1944. [Hand punches KKK member in the head]
Seriously, what a rollercoaster.
A few years later in the 1950s and 60s came the Civil Rights Movement. That was a pretty
swell time, because everyone banded together in order to end racial segregation and discrimination [Group of people protesting]
in the United States.
Which, as you can imagine, didn't fly with the Official Grouchy Jerks Club, aka the Ku
Klux Klan, who re-emerged during this time in order to fight all the progress going on.
These guys were like the boogeyman…just when you think they're gone, they crawl out [Boogeyman appears from under a boys bed]
from underneath your bed…
Thankfully, the KKK violence and membership has never been as popular as it once was,
and is has been on a steady decline since the 1970s, though it still exists today. [KKK member speaking and a tomato hits his face]
And yes, they still wear those dumb bed-sheet ghost costumes.