Ku klux klan

Most people consider a social movement to be a group of people who have come together to reach a common goal, usually beneficial to the country, or at least a certain group of people. In the case of the Ku Klux Klan, it is not quite the same as the stereotypical social movement. Yes, it is still a group of people who share the same beliefs, but their acts were not beneficial to anyone or anything. It actually did the exact opposite to anyone of a different religion or race than the white men who were members of this organization. The intent of the group was to actually make others' lives miserable.

The Ku Klux Klan was formed in Pulaski, Tennessee in December of 1865, and is still present today. When the group was named, they chose to use the Greek word "Kuklos" which means circle (Chalmers 9). They held their meetings in secret places and put on disguises while they caused mischief.

English: William Joseph Simmons, founder of the se...

Ku Klux Klan members and a burning cross, Denver, ...

Cartoon from 1868 ("'Tis but a change of banners -...

They eventually realized that their appearances really affected people of the African American race and used it against them. A recruitment program for the group was established in 1920. Membership was only offered to white males who were Anglo-Saxon Protestants. Surprisingly, the group was also opposed to Catholicism along with Negroes, Jews, Orientals, and Aliens. They also strongly believed in the idea of Prohibition and were against any behavior that they didn't consider 100% Americanism. The recruitment obviously worked because by the next year, membership had gone up by the thousands.

Their actions were somewhat resembled by those of the well known Nazi organization headed by Adolf Hitler in Germany. The main goal of the Nazis was to exterminate all Jewish people. The KKK did not necessarily want to kill Blacks, Jews, or anybody else, they...