The Klan of the 1920s and Nativism

In Context 1920s were a time of unparalleled scientific and economic growth 1920s were a time of unparalleled scientific and economic growth The effects of large scale immigration were being felt for the first time The effects of large scale immigration were being felt for the first time Catholic v. Protestant Catholic v. Protestant Prohibition after all had been passed as a check on the “out of control society” Prohibition after all had been passed as a check on the “out of control society”

Anti-immigration sentiment People felt immigrants were taking jobs away from native born Americans People felt immigrants were taking jobs away from native born Americans Prohibition was an attempt to control the “drinking of the immigrants” Prohibition was an attempt to control the “drinking of the immigrants”

1921 Immigration Law Established the first quota system Established the first quota system Immigration from a country could not exceed 3% of the immigrant country population in the United States in 1910 Immigration from a country could not exceed 3% of the immigrant country population in the United States in 1910 Example… Example… Cut immigration from 800,000 to 300,000 in one year Cut immigration from 800,000 to 300,000 in one year Nativists weren’t satisfied Nativists weren’t satisfied

National Origins Act of 1924 Banned immigration from Asia entirely Banned immigration from Asia entirely This angered Japan (think ahead) This angered Japan (think ahead) Reduced the European quota from 3% to 2% Reduced the European quota from 3% to 2% Changed the basis year from 1910 to 1890 Changed the basis year from 1910 to 1890 –Made southern and eastern Europeans more difficult to get in –Why?

The New Klan Re-established in 1915 at Stone Mountain, Georgia Re-established in 1915 at Stone Mountain, Georgia “The Birth of a Nation” “The Birth of a Nation” –Glorified the klan as heroes after the Civil War Nativism made them go after different groups Nativism made them go after different groups

New Klan Targets African Americans African Americans Primary concern shifted to Catholics, Jews, foreigners Primary concern shifted to Catholics, Jews, foreigners Anyone but WASPs were seen as a problem Anyone but WASPs were seen as a problem

Who made up the Klan? Protestant whites Protestant whites More political than violent More political than violent Controlled the state legislature in Indiana for a short time Controlled the state legislature in Indiana for a short time “Family Values” “Family Values” “Traditional Values” “Traditional Values”

Traditional Values Klan persecuted anyone who went against their religious teachings Klan persecuted anyone who went against their religious teachings –Irreligion –Sexual promiscuity –Drunkenness –Compulsory bible study in public schools –Punish divorce

Similar to Gangs to today Provided people with a sense of belonging in a world which was growing chaotic Provided people with a sense of belonging in a world which was growing chaotic Rituals, uniforms, structure Rituals, uniforms, structure People clung to all of this as their worlds were rapidly changing People clung to all of this as their worlds were rapidly changing

Downfall of the “New Klan” David Stephenson David Stephenson Raped a young secretary, kidnapped her, and watched her dies after taking poison to commit suicide Raped a young secretary, kidnapped her, and watched her dies after taking poison to commit suicide Klan basically died out again by WWII only to be brought back by Civil Rights movement Klan basically died out again by WWII only to be brought back by Civil Rights movement