Colorado History kkk in the 1920's History Essay Paper (Essay Sample)

Influence of Ku Klux Klan on the Colorado Government in the 1920s
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Introduction
Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has been a tool of hate in several parts of the United States since the end of the civil war in 1865. Since 1865, members of KKK have committed various forms of atrocities, including assassinations, terror attacks, and intimidations, among others. Though the activities of KKK has so far declined, there are still multiple groups in the United States that go by different names and symbols, which are at least as dangerous as KKK or subscribe to the organization’s ideals and beliefs. KKK activities can be classified into three periods based on the extent of their activities, i.e. 19th century, in the 1920s, and during the 1950s and early 1960s. Though the Klan had a resurgence in the 1970s, the later activities did not reach the heights of the previous periods. In Colorado, KKK has a stranglehold in several aspects of the society across the state, including the government. The Klan gained massive support across the state due to their shrewd campaigning using modern forms of advertising and addressing local issues in communities by offering idealistic solutions. In addition, the Klan influenced elections and even managed to penetrate the government of Colorado. In this regard, this paper explores the influence of Ku Klux Klan on the Colorado Government in the 1920s.[Bond, Julian. Ku Klux Klan A History of Racism and Violence. Splcenter.Org, 2011, p. 7] [Davies, James H. "Colorado under the Klan." Colorado Magazine, 1965, p. 95]
Analysis and Discussion
Despite racial superiority being the main agenda of KKK nationwide at the time, in Colorado, it associated with other forms of intolerance, such as anti-Catholicism and anti-Semitism. The Klan hoped to spread ‘nativism’ as a “100 percent Americanism” throughout the country. The 1920s was associated with the second manifestation of the Invisible Empire (KKK) whose influence was rapidly expanding particularly in its traditional homeland in the South and to the rest of the United States. KKK leaders adopted a more conservative form of Protestantism to attract white men and women. The Klan also pushed for improved law and order, education reforms, moral authoritarianism, and civic engagement. As a result, the Klan became attractive and became part of the national political power. Though the Klan was initially comprised of only men, women joined the KKK activism to promote the value of homes and hearth as well as the sanctity of womanhood. The Klan also functioned as a sourced of a social outing for many Protestants. Due to this, members in Grand Junction joined KKK not so much for its prejudice causes but because they thought of the society as another Elks lodge albeit with hoods and cross-burning ceremonies in the desert. In Denver, the Klan organized picnics, auto races, and many other events that drew tens of thousands of people. In some cases, the Klan chased away Blacks, Italians, and other Catholics and Jews from their events.[Bond, Julian. Ku Klux Klan A History of Racism and Violence, p. 22] [Dorsey, Larry. "Ku Klux Klan: The invisible empire in Boulder County." Super Historian, August 2009, p. 1] [Bond, Julian, p. 24]