Group Polarization By: Alex Fox Katie Vanhoy Shelby Phillips Clint Johnson

What is Group Polarization? Group Polarization occurs when people with a similar opinion meet and discuss the topic and feelings about the topic are enhanced and strengthened.

History: The Civil Rights Movement

Group Polarization: Civil Rights Movement Historically, instances of group polarization have a strongly negative outcome. However, sometimes, something good comes from their efforts. For example, the civil rights movement. When those involved in the movement met and talked, their ideas and theories grew stronger and stronger. In the end, they earned themselves new liberties and freedoms.

History: The Ku Klux Klan Formed by Confederate Army veterans White Supremacy group who terrorized African Americans, Jews, and other minorities with lynchings and other hate crimes Also held hatred towards any groups that competed with lower working class white men Spread anti-Catholicism, anti- communism, and anti-Semitism ideologies with pamphlets and mass mailings Infamous demonstrations of their power included the ceremonial cross burning The white mask and robe uniform was originally adopted to hide identities since the groups were originally formed in small towns with low population densities; they were also helpful in seeing members in the dark since most of their activities happened at night The Klan tended to kill anyone who interfered, even they were not a target group

Group Polarization: The Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan was greatly influenced by group polarization. When they had their meetings, they talked about their aims and so their ideals were strengthened. When more people stated that they followed the same beliefs, they became more confident and therefore, more effective. Through this process, group polarization helped fuel one of the most destructive groups in America’s history.

History: Nazis German political party of the twentieth century, led by Adolf Hitler which controlled Germany from the early 1930s until the end of World War II Characterized by fascism, racism, militarism, nationalism and a focus on eugenics Desired the development of the “master” or Aryan race, ridding the country of “impure” races Targeted group included: Jews, gypsies, handicapped, homosexuals, communists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others Major symbols were the swastika and the stiff-armed salute Their reign led to the Holocaust, a terrible tragedy leading to the death of millions with methods such as concentration and death camps

Group Polarization: Nazis

Black Panthers Established in October of 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, as a means of brotherhood and local protection from police violence and racism during the Civil Rights movement. Fought for ethnic and working class rights of Americans. The group also provided medical clinics and fed needy children throughout their societies. The black panther party consisted of men and women. The black panther party had over 2,000 members nationwide in several major cities. The members of these parties were constantly involved in shoot outs and other accounts of police violence. Many leaders including huey Newton were either trialed and jailed or killed as a result of these shoot-outs. Malcolm X played a major role in some of the ideas of the Black Panther party where he preached the idea of standing up for your rights no matter what it takes, contrary to the Martin Luther King Jr. view of sitting patiently in a non- violent manner. Their symbol was typically a black panther, and a physical symbol consisted off raising ones fist above their head symbolizing ‘power’.

Group Polarization: Black Panthers

Works Cited Group Polarization. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from Heffner, Christopher L. (2001) The Role of Groups. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from Gordon. Social Influence. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from Cozzens, Lisa. "The Civil Rights Movement : Introduction." May Nazi. (n.d.). The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved May 27, 2008, from Answers.com Web site:

In conclusion, it is obvious that group polarization has an obvious effect on history. From the Nazis to those who fought in the civil rights movement, all were greatly influenced by group polarization. Group polarization sometimes even helped decide whether their efforts made an effect, or were lost in the pages of history.