The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Right-Wing Movements and National Politics (Volume 32) (Social Movements, Protest and Contention)

In 1915, forty years after the original Ku Klux Klan disbanded, a former farmer, circuit preacher, and university lecturer named Colonel William Joseph Simmons revived the secret society. By the early 1920s the KKK had been transformed into a national movement with millions of dues-paying members and chapters in all of the nation’s forty-eight states. And unlike the Reconstruction-era society, the 1920s-era Klan exerted its influence far beyond the South. In The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan , Rory McVeigh provides a revealing analysis of the broad social agenda of 1920s-era KKK, showing that although the organization continued to promote white supremacy, it also addressed a surprisingly wide range of social and economic issues, targeting immigrants and, particularly, Catholics, as well as African Americans, as dangers to American society. In sharp contrast to earlier studies of the KKK, which focus on the local or regional level, McVeigh treats the Klan as it saw itself—as a national organization concerned with national issues. Drawing on extensive research into the Klan’s national publication, the Imperial Night-Hawk , he traces the ways in which Klan leaders interpreted national issues and how they attempted—and finally failed—to influence national politics. More broadly, in detailing the Klan’s expansion in the early 1920s and its collapse by the end of the decade, McVeigh ultimately sheds light on the dynamics that fuel contemporary right-wing social movements that similarly blur the line between race, religion, and values. In 1915, forty years after the original Ku Klux Klan disbanded, a former farmer, circuit preacher, and university lecturer named Colonel William Joseph Simmons revived the secret society. By the early 1920s the KKK had been transformed into a national movement with millions of dues-paying members and chapters in all of the nation's forty-eight states. And unlike the Reconstruction-era society, the Klan in the 1920s exerted its influence far beyond the South. In The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan, Rory McVeigh provides a revealing analysis of the broad social agenda of 1920s-era KKK, showing that although the organization continued to promote white supremacy, it also addressed a surprisingly wide range of social and economic issues, targeting immigrants and, particularly, Catholics, as well as African Americans, as dangers to American society. In sharp contrast to earlier studies of the KKK, which focus on the local or regional level, McVeigh treats the Klan as it saw itself—as a national organization concerned with national issues. Drawing on extensive research into the Klan's national publication, the Imperial Night-Hawk, he traces the ways in which Klan leaders interpreted national issues and how they attempted—and finally failed—to influence national politics. More broadly, in detailing the Klan's expansion in the early 1920s and its collapse by the end of the decade, McVeigh ultimately sheds light on the dynamics that fuel contemporary right-wing social movements that similarly blur the line between race, religion, and values. From The Publisher: Rory Mcveigh Provides A Revealing Analysis Of The Broad Social Agenda Of The 1920s-era Ku Klux Klan, Showing That Although The Organization Continued To Promote White Supremacy, It Also Addressed A Wide Range Of Social And Economic Issues, Targeting Immigrants And Catholics As Well As African Americans As Dangers To American Society. In Sharp Contrast To Earlier Studies Of The Kkk, Mcveigh Treats The Klan As It Saw Itself-as A National Organization Concerned With National Issues. The Klan As A National Movement -- The Rebirth Of A Klan Nation, 1915-1924 -- Power Devaluation -- Responding To Economic Change : Redefining Markets Along Cultural Lines -- National Politics And Mobilizing 100 Percent American Voters -- Fights Over Schools And Booze -- How To Recruit A Klansman -- Klan Activism Across The Country -- The Klan's Last Gasp : Campaigning To Keep A Catholic Out Of The White House, 1925-1928 -- Conclusion: Right-wing Movements, Yesterday And Today. Rory Mcveigh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221-229) And Index. Contents......Page 6 1. The Klan as a National Movement......Page 8 2. The Rebirth of a Klan Nation, 1915–1924......Page 26 3. Power Devaluation......Page 39 4. Responding to Economic Change: Redefining Markets along Cultural Lines......Page 56 5. National Politics and Mobilizing "100 Percent American" Voters......Page 93 6. Fights over Schools and Booze......Page 119 7. How to Recruit a Klansman......Page 146 8. Klan Activism across the Country......Page 174 9. The Klan's Last Gasp: Campaigning to Keep a Catholic out of the White House, 1925–1928......Page 187 Conclusion: Right-Wing Movements, Yesterday and Today......Page 203 Acknowledgments......Page 210 Notes......Page 212 Works Cited......Page 228 A......Page 238 C......Page 239 D......Page 240 E......Page 241 G......Page 242 I......Page 243 L......Page 244 M......Page 245 P......Page 246 R......Page 248 S......Page 249 W......Page 250 Y......Page 251 Rory McVeigh provides a revealing analysis of the broad social agenda of 1920s-era KKK, showing that although the organization continued to promote white supremacy, it targeted immigrants and, particularly, Catholics, as well as African Americans, as dangers to American society. In sharp contrast to earlier studies of the KKK, McVeigh treats the Klan as it saw itself -- as a national organization concerned with national issues. - Publisher.