White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction by Allen W. Trelease

White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction by Allen W. Trelease
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was comprehensive look at the activities of the Klu Klux Klan right after the Civil War ended. It was born in Tennessee and spread throughout the south states. They heavily opposed Reconstruction programs of the time. They didn't have a single overall organization but were many groups obviously inspired by the original group. The midnight riders would use a policy of beatings, whippings, rape, arson, shootings and lynching. Their two main targets were recently freed slaves and Republicans. It became such an issue that Congress eventually took action in 1871. After lengthy investigations they were able to make prosecutions and convictions but were relatively small in comparison to the actual number terrorist-like activities that went on. Even so it did slow down curtail the vast majority of activities. By the time Reconstruction ended in the 1877 and the advent of the Jim Crow era of the south the need for the group dropped drastically. The KKK did have revivals first inspired by the film "Birth of a Nation" in the 1920's and then during the segregation/Civil Rights battles of the 1950's and 1960's. This is an excellent reference for those looking into the birth of the Klu Klux Klan Reconstruction period. I think this is an often overlooked element during this time period in American History.

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