The Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated as KKK, is a [white supremacist](https://doctorparadox.net/tag/white-supremacy/) and hate group that originated in the United States. Founded in 1865, the group has gone through several iterations and has been responsible for numerous acts of [racial violence](https://doctorparadox.net/category/psychology/racism/) and domestic terrorism. Here is a brief overview of the organization's history: 1. **First Era (1865-1871)**: The KKK was established in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1865 by six Confederate veterans. The group's initial goal was to maintain [[white supremacy]] and resist the policies of [[Reconstruction]] in the post-[[Civil War]] South. The KKK used violence, intimidation, and murder to suppress African Americans and their allies, particularly targeting Republican politicians, black voters, and [[civil rights]] activists. The federal government eventually intervened, enacting the Enforcement Acts of 1870-1871, which suppressed Klan activity and led to the dissolution of the first Klan. 2. **Second Era (1915-1944)**: The KKK was revived in 1915 by William J. Simmons in response to the release of the movie "The Birth of a Nation," which glorified the original Klan. The second Klan expanded its targets to include not only African Americans but also Jews, Catholics, and immigrants. At its peak in the 1920s, the Klan boasted millions of members and had significant political influence. However, internal divisions, financial scandals, and public backlash led to the decline of the second Klan, which was largely disbanded by the end of the 1940s. 3. **Third Era (1950s-1960s)**: The Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s sparked the emergence of smaller, more localized Klan groups, which violently opposed desegregation and the expansion of civil rights for African Americans. These groups were responsible for numerous acts of terrorism, including bombings, lynchings, and assassinations. The federal government and [[civil rights]] activists worked to counter Klan activities, and many Klan members were prosecuted for their crimes. 4. **Modern Era (1970s-present)**: Since the 1970s, the KKK has continued to exist as a loosely organized collection of smaller groups that promote white supremacist ideologies. While their numbers have dwindled significantly, they continue to perpetrate [[hate crimes]] and acts of violence. In recent years, the Klan has attempted to rebrand itself and gain new followers through the use of social media and the internet. Throughout its history, the Ku Klux Klan has been characterized by its commitment to [[white supremacy]], the use of violence and terror as a means of intimidation, and its targeting of minority communities. Despite multiple periods of decline, the organization persists as a symbol of racial hatred and domestic terrorism in the United States. See also: [[Civil Rights Act]], [[Great Society]], [[Brown v. Board of Education]], [[segregation]]