Extra Credit - The KKK

    The KKK (Ku Klux Klan) was founded by a group of former confederate soldiers upon the end of the Civil War, it was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1866.  The origin behind the KKK's title is of Greek origin, where "Ku Klux" means "kylos" which translates into "circle."  The clan became notorious for the alias of "Invisible Empire of the South", most likely because the majority of the clan's operations occurredat night and because of their attire.  The clan's operations primarily consisted of violent and intimidating acts towards African-Americans in an effort to realize their vision, that is, white supremacy.  Lynching, burning, and hanging were several of the KKK's methods of violence, they wanted the results of the Reconstruction to deteriorate, preventing any African-Americans from voting or having any political power.
    
    The clan's members were from all social rankings such as: Doctors, lawyers, and even law enforcement.  If the law enforcement were not involved in clan activities, then they did not intervene with clan activities.  After the membership for the clan declined, a film titled The Birth of a Nation depicted white supremacy and racial discrimination towards blacks.  As a result, the KKK was reborn, back with a hatred directed not only towards African-Americans, but to Romans, Jews, and even foreigners.  The KKK also took part in the Civil Rights Movement, bombing a church and killing three innocent children while they were in service.  By the late 1900's, the KKK was fairly minimal once again, the membership was estimated from 6,000 to 10,000 during the 1990's.

   In brief, the KKK is an extreme group of radical, violent people, committng  just about any crime to broadcast their message.  That is, white supremacy and the destruction of African-American's right to vote and hold office.  The KKK has endured destruction and rebirth, even today, the KKK exists in much smaller groups of neo-nazis and other radicals. 

References:

    Ku Klux Klan. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:14, February 15, 2013, from http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan.