The Rise of the Klan & The Knights of the White Camellia

* 27 Sep 1867 Turner and his group marched to Amite City, LA to vote. * They were armed but stopped by federal officers outside the city and forced to conceal their weapons before entering town. * Allowed to vote and set up an encampment outside the town after voting.

* Many whites were offended that Turner’s group was allowed to bring their guns to town and allowed to vote. * Problem was Turner had boasted he was authorized to hang whites. The whites of Amite City were not going to allow Turner and his group to be men and citizens just like whites. * The whites of Amite City stated that they would defend themselves against barbarians. * What the whites of Amite City did not understand was that Turner’s actions were in response to the violence and racism perpetrated against the black community.

* Formed in the Winter of 1867 in LA & FL. * The elections of 1867 proved to be the impetus for the increase of these organizations. * Said they were there to combat black assertiveness. * Real reason was to main white supremacy. * The groups that fulfilled this mission was The Knights of White Camellia and the Ku Klux Klan.

* Groups were separate with different purposes. * Formed in 1866 in TN. The Klan was originally a social club for Confederate Veterans. * By 1867, Klan decided to become regulators. Dens existed in LA, FL & MS. * Believed in white supremacy and contempt for blacks and white Republicans in the South. * Klan used murder, arson, intimidation and secrecy to spread their terror and influence.

* Originated in Louisiana * Agenda was white supremacy through political and economic ends. * Were also against blacks and white Republicans. * Difference between White Camellia & the Klan was the use of terror * Used economic intimidation and persuasion to achieve their political objectives.

* Open about their affiliation * No violence * Political officeholders * Movers and shakers of the white communities * Used murder * Willing to die if ever revealed membership of others. * Secret organization * From a lower social class

* Promote White Supremacy * Vote only for white men * Defend the white race from the aggression and encroachment of an inferior race. * Protect females and widows * Schism developed between White Camellia and the Klan. White Camellia main objective was the return of political control to conservative whites. * Blacks endured violence and white attempts to keep them as close as they could in slavery in Florida.

* Election based on intimidation between Louis St. Martin(D) & J. H.Sypher(R) both ran campaigns of intimidation and fraud. * White Camellia issued protection papers to blacks who voted Democratic. * If blacks did not vote Democratic then they would not have access to the local mill and lumber companies. * Many blacks voted Democratic to keep their jobs and to eat. In Florida anyone who voted Republican paid a heavy price.

* Used terror to eliminate black leadership and put fear into Republican opponents. * The Klan used threats of death to Republican opponents. * As the election neared the Klan made raids onto Republicans properties. * Blacks were told to vote Democratic or die. * Those blacks who did not vote Democratic were seen as a threat.

* The Klan used intimidation and violence on the day of the election murdering local Republican candidates and black Republican leaders. * The Klan murder prominent Republican office holders and black activists in their attempt to win the election. * Black voters were under pressure by both Republicans and Democrats to vote for them. The Klan threatened their lives and the Republicans threatened to take away their promise of land and mules. * 204 black and white Republicans died statewide in LA during elections.

* Rowdy Democrats crowded the precincts and tried to intimidate anyone who voted Republican. * Only precincts guarded by federal troops had Republican votes. * In eastern LA, a majority Democratic victories were found in the parishes due to voter intimidation and suppression.

* The election of 1868 changed Louisiana and Mississippi. Voter intimidation was used to gain political victories. * Violence and Republican bashing became important and a social activity. * The nightriders of the Klan had more impact on society. * The old planter elite who sent the country into civil war had regained its power through fear, intimidation and promoting racial fears.