Klansville, U.S.A. : The Rise and Fall of the Civil Rights-Era Ku Klux Klan

In the 1960s, on the heels of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision and in the midst of the growing Civil Rights Movement, Ku Klux Klan activity boomed, reaching an intensity not seen since the 1920s, when the KKK boasted over 4 million members. Most surprisingly, the state with the largest Klan membership-more than the rest of the South combined-was North Carolina, a supposed bastion of southern-style progressivism. __Klansville, U.S.A.__ is the first substantial history of the civil rights-era KKK's astounding rise and fall, focusing on the under-explored case of the United Klans of America (UKA) in North Carolina. Why the UKA flourished in the Tar Heel state presents a fascinating puzzle and a window into the complex appeal of the Klan as a whole. Drawing on a range of new archival sources and interviews with Klan members, including state and national leaders, the book uncovers the complex logic of KKK activity. David Cunningham demonstrates that the Klan organized most successfully where whites perceived civil rights reforms to be a significant threat to their status, where mainstream outlets for segregationist resistance were lacking, and where the policing of the Klan's activities was lax. Moreover, by connecting the Klan to the more mainstream segregationist and anti-communist groups across the South, Cunningham provides valuable insight into southern conservatism, its resistance to civil rights, and the region's subsequent dramatic shift to the Republican Party.__Klansville, U.S.A.__ illuminates a period of Klan history that has been largely ignored, shedding new light on organized racism and on how political extremism can intersect with mainstream institutions and ideals. Overview: In The 1960s, On The Heels Of The Brown Vs. Board Of Education Decision And In The Midst Of The Growing Civil Rights Movement, Ku Klux Klan Activity Boomed, Reaching An Intensity Not Seen Since The 1920s, When The Kkk Boasted Over 4 Million Members. Most Surprisingly, The State With The Largest Klan Membership-more Than The Rest Of The South Combined-was North Carolina, A Supposed Bastion Of Southern-style Progressivism. Klansville, U.s.a. Is The First Substantial History Of The Civil Rights-era Kkk's Astounding Rise And Fall, Focusing On The Under-explored Case Of The United Klans Of America (uka) In North Carolina. Why The Uka Flourished In The Tar Heel State Presents A Fascinating Puzzle And A Window Into The Complex Appeal Of The Klan As A Whole. Drawing On A Range Of New Archival Sources And Interviews With Klan Members, Including State And National Leaders, The Book Uncovers The Complex Logic Of Kkk Activity. David Cunningham Demonstrates That The Klan Organized Most Successfully Where Whites Perceived Civil Rights Reforms To Be A Significant Threat To Their Status, Where Mainstream Outlets For Segregationist Resistance Were Lacking, And Where The Policing Of The Klan's Activities Was Lax. Moreover, By Connecting The Klan To The More Mainstream Segregationist And Anti-communist Groups Across The South, Cunningham Provides Valuable Insight Into Southern Conservatism, Its Resistance To Civil Rights, And The Region's Subsequent Dramatic Shift To The Republican Party. Klansville, U.s.a. Illuminates A Period Of Klan History That Has Been Largely Ignored, Shedding New Light On Organized Racism And On How Political Extremism Can Intersect With Mainstream Institutions And Ideals. Introduction -- Beginnings: The Ku Klux Klan North Carolina And The Nation -- The Rise Of The Carolina Klan -- Rebirth Of Klan Counters Moderate Action In State : The United Klans Of America And Southern Politics -- Klan Recruitment In North Carolina Counties -- Joining The Klan -- Locating Klansville, U.s.a. -- The Fall Of United Klans -- Epilogue: How The Carolina Klan Does -- And Doesn't -- Matter In The Post-klan South. David Cunningham. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the 1960s, on the heels of the Brown decision and in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, Ku Klux Klan activity boomed, reaching an intensity not seen since the 1920s, when KKK membership extended into the millions. Surprisingly, the state with the largest Klan membership—more than the rest of the South combined—was North Carolina, a supposed bastion of southern-style progressivism. Klansville, U.S.A. documents and explains the civil rights-era KKK's astounding rise and fall, by focusing on the under-explored case of the United Klans of America (UKA) in North Carolina. Like its contemporaries in the Deep South, the massive Carolina Klan engaged in secretive campaigns of terror and intimidation, but also developed a strong public presence, spreading its message and supporting its members at massive nightly rallies, afternoon street walks, weekend church services and turkey shoots, and through local radio shows and roadside billboards. The UKA's successes in the Tar Heel State provide a window into the complex appeal of the KKK as a whole, demonstrating how the Klan organized most successfully where whites perceived civil rights reforms to be a significant threat to their status, where mainstream outlets for segregationist resistance were lacking, and where the policing of the Klan's activities was lax. By connecting the KKK to the more mainstream segregationist and anti-communist groups across the South, this book offers new insight into southern conservatism, resistance to civil rights, and the region's subsequent dramatic shift to the Republican Party—shedding new light on organized racism and on how political extremism can intersect with mainstream institutions and ideals Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 18 1. Beginnings: The Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina and the Nation......Page 31 2. The Rise of the Carolina Klan......Page 58 3. “Rebirth of Klan Counters Moderate Action in State”: The United Klans of America and Southern Politics......Page 87 4. Klan Recruitment in North Carolina Counties......Page 115 5. Joining the Klan......Page 139 6. Locating “Klansville, U.S.A.”......Page 165 7. The Fall of United Klans......Page 199 Epilogue: How the Carolina Klan Does—and Doesn’t—Matter in the Post-Klan South......Page 229 Notes......Page 248 References......Page 318 B......Page 342 C......Page 343 D......Page 344 G......Page 345 J......Page 346 M......Page 347 N......Page 348 R......Page 349 S......Page 350 U......Page 351 Z......Page 352 Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 18 1. Beginnings: The Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina and the Nation 31 2. The Rise of the Carolina Klan 58 3. “Rebirth of Klan Counters Moderate Action in State”: The United Klans of America and Southern Politics 87 4. Klan Recruitment in North Carolina Counties 115 5. Joining the Klan 139 6. Locating “Klansville, U.S.A.” 165 7. The Fall of United Klans 199 Epilogue: How the Carolina Klan Does—and Doesn’t—Matter in the Post-Klan South 229 Notes 248 References 318 Index 342 A 342 B 342 C 343 D 344 E 345 F 345 G 345 H 346 I 346 J 346 K 347 L 347 M 347 N 348 O 349 P 349 R 349 S 350 T 351 U 351 V 352 W 352 Y 352 Z 352 Introduction Beginnings: the KKK in North carolina and the U.S The rise of the Carolina Klan "Rebirth of Klan counters moderate action in state" : the UKa and southern politics UKA recruitment in North Carolina counties Joining the Klan Locating "Klansville, U.S.A." The fall of united Klans Epilogue: how the KKK does and doesn't matter in the post-klan south.