Birth of The KKK, 1865

A group including many former Confederate veterans founded the first branch of the Ku Klux Klan as a social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, in1865. From 1867 on, African- American participations in public life in the south became one of the most radical aspects of Reconstruction, as blacks won election to southern state governments and even to the U.S congress.

At least 10 precent of black legislators elected during the 1867- 1868 constitutional conventions became victims of violence during Reconstruction, including 7 who were killed. White Republicans and black institutions such as schools and churches – symbols of black autonomy– were also targets for Klan attacks.

Sources:

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/ku-klux-klan-founded-dec-24-1865-232856

https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/second-ku-klux-klan-and-the-birth-of-a-nation

https://www.huffpost.com/topic/kkk