The KKK and the Jim Crow Era

Professor Patrick Fontes, PhD・2 minutes read

The text discusses the Mississippi Black Code post-Civil War, highlighting severe restrictions on African Americans and the KKK's role in upholding white supremacy through terror and violence. The overall impact of discriminatory laws, racial segregation, and racial tensions post-Civil War is explored, emphasizing the struggle for African American rights and equality in a racially charged society.

Insights

The Mississippi Black Code and Vagrancy Law were oppressive measures targeting newly freed African Americans post-Civil War, restricting their freedom and imposing harsh penalties for various offenses.
The Ku Klux Klan emerged post-Civil War to uphold white supremacy, with significant membership growth and a resurgence in modern times, reflecting ongoing racial tensions and resistance to African American freedom.
Historical figures like Nathan Bedford Forrest and movements like the KKK played pivotal roles in perpetuating racial segregation, with significant impacts on American society and the struggle for equality.

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Recent questions

What were the Mississippi Black Codes?
Laws restricting African American freedom post-Civil War.
Who was Nathan Bedford Forrest?
First Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
What was the impact of Plessy v. Ferguson?
Legalized racial segregation, reinforcing oppression of African Americans.
Why did the Ku Klux Klan resurge in the 20th century?
Fueled by the film "The Birth of a Nation" and anti-immigrant sentiments.
What were the differing views of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois?
Washington focused on vocational education, while Du Bois advocated for higher education and political involvement.

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Summary

00:00

Mississippi Black Code and Ku Klux Klan

The lecture discusses the Mississippi Black Code, a set of laws passed in ex-Confederate states after the Civil War to restrict the freedom of newly freed African Americans.
The Black Codes aimed to place African Americans back into oppressive roles, particularly highlighted by the harsh Vagrancy Code in Mississippi.
White leaders in Mississippi feared the newly freed African Americans and sought to maintain white supremacy even after the Civil War ended.
Southern states resisted granting equality to African Americans post-Civil War, leading to ongoing racial tensions and pushback against Northern legislation.
The Vagrancy Law from the Mississippi Black Code of 1865 imposed severe restrictions on African Americans, penalizing unemployment and association with whites.
The law targeted freedmen, free negroes, and mulattos, restricting their freedom and imposing fines and imprisonment for various offenses.
The law prohibited white individuals from associating with African Americans on equal terms, emphasizing racial segregation and control.
Nathan Bedford Forrest, a slave trader and Confederate general, was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, which emerged post-Civil War to uphold white supremacy.
Early KKK members donned distinctive white robes and conical hats, with the organization boasting over 500,000 members by 1868.
The KKK's formation coincided with the passage of discriminatory laws like the Black Codes, reflecting a broader resistance to African American freedom and equality post-Civil War.

20:02

KKK: History of Racism and Oppression

The KKK emerges in the South to reclaim control from Black leadership post-Civil War, with white supremacists viewing Blacks as unfit for office.
The KKK experiences significant membership growth, reaching 500,000 during its second wave post-Civil War.
The KKK sees a resurgence in modern times, with various factions existing across America, not necessarily connected but sharing the KKK ideology.
Historians estimate KKK membership in the 1920s at 4-8 million, with hotspots like Fresno, Long Beach, Bakersfield, Oakland, and Anaheim.
Congress passes the Enforcement Acts in 1870-1871, leading to indictments and convictions of over 5,000 individuals, including many Klan leaders.
The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 results in numerous Klan members being jailed, yet the Klan persists, resurging in the 1920s.
The KKK forms in 1865 to resist Northern programs and terrorize newly freed African Americans, denying them rights granted by the North.
The Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896 legalizes racial segregation, reinforcing the South's oppressive treatment of African Americans.
The Jim Crow era from 1877 to 1964 institutionalizes structural racism in Southern states, restricting resources and imposing violence on Black citizens.
Important dates include the KKK's founding in 1865, the Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896, and the Red Summer of 1919 marked by white attacks on Blacks nationwide.

42:04

Rise and Fall of Ku Klux Klan

In 1920, the Ku Klux Klan had around 4 million members, which increased to 6 million by 1924, but then declined due to criminal activities by its leaders.
The Klan was viewed by many Americans in 1924 as a family organization, participating in patriotic parades across the country, despite their anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, anti-Mexican, anti-Black, and anti-Jewish stances.
In Fresno County, the Klan's anti-Mexican sentiment conflicted with the need for Mexican labor in the fields, leading to Mexicans being labeled as white on birth certificates due to the farmers' interests.
The concept of whiteness in America is complex, with examples like dark Sicilians being considered white while light-skinned Spanish Mexicans are not, highlighting the arbitrary nature of racial categorization.
The Klan's membership declined throughout the 20th century but saw a resurgence in the late 70s and 90s, although not to the same extent as in the early 20th century.
In 1924, the US population was 114 million, with around 6 million active Klan members, representing about 5-7% of the American population, advocating for a racially pure America based on white supremacy.
The second wave of Klan membership in the 20th century was fueled by the Hollywood movie "The Birth of a Nation," which depicted the Klan as heroic saviors of the post-war South, leading to a surge in Klan membership.
The film's portrayal of African Americans as beastial and criminal, particularly in relation to white women, perpetuated harmful stereotypes and fueled racial tensions.
Despite protests from organizations like the NAACP and some white clergy, the film was widely praised and shown in theaters across America, including Fresno, where it received glowing reviews and attracted packed audiences.
The film's impact was significant, with theater owners advised not to admit African Americans under any circumstances, reflecting the divisive and racially charged atmosphere of the time.
Students are encouraged to watch the film "The Birth of a Nation" to understand its historical context and impact, prompting critical thinking about racial stereotypes, historical accuracy, and the power of media in shaping societal perceptions.

01:01:02

KKK Influence in 1920s Fresno

Reconstruction film or America in 1915 discussed, focusing on black men's portrayal in relation to white and black women.
Original source documents from Fresno in 1922, detailing the second wave of the KKK in California.
KKK outlawed before 1922, Cleagle evangelist for KKK, raided in Los Angeles with membership role found.
Fresno City College's ballpark, originally named after KKK member Euless, to be renamed in September 2020.
Membership cards of Fresno KKK members, including J.M. Euless, showcased.
1870 census reveals 80% of white Fresno residents from the Confederacy post-Civil War.
Daughters of the Confederacy convention in Fresno, highlighting families with Confederate ties.
KKK's 1925 march in Washington, D.C., with 25,000 members in full regalia.
KKK parades across America in the 1920s, featuring women's support groups and blood cross symbolism.
One of the largest Klan rallies in California history in 1924 at Fresno Fairgrounds, expecting 75,000 to 100,000 attendees.

01:19:45

"Black Americans' Paths: Vocational vs. Higher Education"

Booker T. Washington emphasizes the importance of black Americans proving themselves through hard work in factories over seeking acceptance in white-dominated spaces like the opera house, advocating for practical achievements over superficial appearances.
Washington's vision for African Americans involves practical action, as seen in his establishment of the Tuskegee Institute, focusing on vocational education to empower the black community and provide tangible opportunities for advancement.
W.E.B. Du Bois, in contrast to Washington, criticizes the emphasis on vocational education, advocating for higher education and political involvement for black Americans, highlighting the differing perspectives within the African American community during the Jim Crow era.

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