Domestic TerrorismDomestic Terrorism

Ku Klux Klan

The “Invisible Empire of the South”

The “Invisible Empire of the South”

The First Era of Ku Klux KlanThe First Era of Ku Klux Klan• The name originated from the Greek word for

circle (kuklos) and added Klan since many of them were of Scotch-Irish descent

The First Era of Ku Klux KlanThe First Era of Ku Klux Klan• Founded by ex-Confederate soldiers • President Ulysses Grant demolished the Ku Klux

Klan in the 1870’s under the Civil Rights Act.

Nathan Bedford ForrestNathan Bedford Forrest

• Nominated as the “Grand Wizard” which was the Klan’s national leader

• Forrest is quoted by George Gordon as stating “…that’s a damn good thing. We can keep them n******s in their place”

Hate Crimes of the KKKHate Crimes of the KKK

Hate Crimes of the KKKHate Crimes of the KKK

• Alabama Church Bombing

• September 15, 1963

• 4 girls killed and 22 adults injured