The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is a hate group that was first formed in 1865 in the United States, shortly after the Civil War. It promotes white supremacy and has targeted African Americans, immigrants, Jewish people, and other minority groups. The Klan is known for using fear and violence, including threats, attacks, and even killings, to try to keep people of different races and backgrounds separated and unequal.
There have been several periods when the Klan was especially active. The first was during the late 1800s, when it tried to stop newly freed African Americans from gaining rights after slavery ended. The second major rise happened in the 1920s, when the Klan grew to millions of members and spread across the country, not just in the South. During this time, it also targeted Catholics, immigrants, and others it saw as “un-American.” The Klan became active again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, using violence and intimidation to resist desegregation and equal rights. Although much smaller today, Klan-affiliated groups still exist and promote hate in various parts of the country.
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