Klansmen
Cross-burning hate group
Klansmen is the plural of Klansman—a member of the Ku Klux Klan, the white supremacist organization founded after the American Civil War.
The Klan has had several waves of activity, targeting Black Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants through terrorism, lynching, and intimidation.
Klansmen burned crosses on the lawns of Black families.
The term carries the full weight of that violent history.
Long loose outer garments
- hoodsHead or engine coverings
- masksFace-covering disguises
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- crossesIntersecting line pairs
white sheets · patches · emblems · costumes · disguise · anonymity · uniform · ceremonial dress
Extrajudicial killing by mob
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
- night ridingVigilante terror after sundown
beatings · murder · bombing · hate crime · victim · vigilante · mob · attack
Doctrine of racial superiority
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- segregationForced separation by group
- nativismPreference for native-born citizens
- antisemitismBigotry toward Jewish people
bigotry · xenophobia · Protestant · Anglo-Saxon · nationalism · hatred · prejudice · discrimination
Post-1865 national reunification period
- 1865Civil War's conclusion year
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- 1915Early twentieth century
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
South · post-Civil War · carpetbaggers · scalawags · redemption · 1920s · decline · FBI
White supremacist hate group
- chapterDivision of a book
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- oathFormal binding promise
secrecy · hierarchy · membership · rally · gathering · meeting · dues · brotherhood
robes
Long loose outer garments
white sheets · crosses · patches · emblems · costumes · disguise · anonymity · uniform · ceremonial dress · purple
lynching
Extrajudicial killing by mob
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
night riding · beatings · murder · bombing · hate crime · victim · vigilante · mob · attack · targeting
white supremacy
Doctrine of racial superiority
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- segregationForced separation by group
- nativismPreference for native-born citizens
antisemitism · bigotry · xenophobia · Protestant · Anglo-Saxon · nationalism · hatred · prejudice · discrimination · supremacist
Reconstruction
Post-1865 national reunification period
terrorism · South · post-Civil War · carpetbaggers · scalawags · redemption · 1920s · decline · FBI · COINTELPRO
KKK
White supremacist hate group
- chapterDivision of a book
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
oath · secrecy · hierarchy · membership · rally · gathering · meeting · dues · brotherhood · order