Modernity vs. Tradition in the 1920s
Rituals
- What kinds of rituals did the Ku Klux Klan have? Why would rituals be important to traditionalists?
- What was the required attired to be a member of the Ku Klux Klan?
- According to the article, what is the mission of the Ku Klux Klan?
Tactics
- What were the tactics of the Ku Klux Klan?
- Were these tactics effective? Why or why not?
Stance/Position in the 1920s
“The Klan: Defender of Americanism” by Hiram Wesley Evans, Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan (1925)
We believe, too, that the mission of America under Almighty God is to perpetuate and develop just the kind of nation and just the kind of civilization which our forefathers created. This is said without offense to other civilizations, but we do believe that ours, through all possible growth and expansion, should remain the same kind that was “brought forth upon this continent.” Also, we believe that races of men are as distinct as breeds of animals; that any mixture between races of any great divergence is evil; that the American stock, which was bred under highly selective surroundings, has proved its value and should not be mongrelized; . . .Finally, we believe that all foreigners were admitted with the idea, and on the basis of at least an implied understanding, that they would become a part of us, adopt our ideas and ideals, and help in fulfilling our destiny along those lines, but never that they should be permitted to force us to change into anything else.
This is the basic idea of the Klan. There is, perhaps, much to be said for the liberal idea of making America a mongrel nation, but that involves the two points which, as I have pointed out, the Klan will not debate. We hold firmly that America belongs to Americans, and should be kept American.
Step 1: Observe
1. According to the author, what is the mission of America?
2. How does the author feel about diversity?
3. What is the purpose of the Ku Klux Klan?
Step 2: Reflect
4. Who is the author? What gives him the authority to speak on the Ku Klux Klan?
5. In one sentence, what was the Ku Klux Klan most concerned about in the 1920s?
“The Shape of Fear” by W.E.B. DuBois, Writer of the Harlem Renaissance (1926)
Until last year I was of those mildly amused at the K.K.K. It seemed to me incredible that in 1925 such a movement could attract any number of people or become really serious. And then at first hand and at second I saw the Klan and its workings in widely different places.
I was lecturing in Akron, Ohio. I looked for sanity in the United States to come from a democratic appeal to the Middle West. And yet, there in Akron, in the land of Joshua R. Giddings [anti-slavery Ohio Representative 1838-1859…I found the Klan calmly and openly in the saddle. The leader of the local Klan was president of the Board of Education…The Mayor, the secretary of the Y.M.C.A., prominent men in many walks of life, were either open Klansmen or secret sympathizers. I was too astonished to talk. Throughout parts of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana I found a similar state of affairs. . . .
What is the cause of all this? There can be little doubt but that the Klan in its present form is a legacy of the World War. The civilized world today and the world half-civilized and uncivilized are desperately afraid. The Shape of Fear looms over them. Germany fears the Jew…America fears the Negro…Protestant fears Catholic, Religion fears Science…it feels it necessary to be nervous because the Unexpected has happened.
Step 1: Observe
1. What surprised DuBois about Ohio?
2. According to DuBois, why is there a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s?
Step 2: Reflect
3. Were all white Americans supportive of the Ku Klux Klan? Why or why not?
4. What is the Ku Klux Klan trying to preserve?
5. What real-life events are reflected in DuBois’s passage?
We believe, too, that the mission of America under Almighty God is to perpetuate and develop just the kind of nation and just the kind of civilization which our forefathers created. This is said without offense to other civilizations, but we do believe that ours, through all possible growth and expansion, should remain the same kind that was “brought forth upon this continent.” Also, we believe that races of men are as distinct as breeds of animals; that any mixture between races of any great divergence is evil; that the American stock, which was bred under highly selective surroundings, has proved its value and should not be mongrelized; . . .Finally, we believe that all foreigners were admitted with the idea, and on the basis of at least an implied understanding, that they would become a part of us, adopt our ideas and ideals, and help in fulfilling our destiny along those lines, but never that they should be permitted to force us to change into anything else.
This is the basic idea of the Klan. There is, perhaps, much to be said for the liberal idea of making America a mongrel nation, but that involves the two points which, as I have pointed out, the Klan will not debate. We hold firmly that America belongs to Americans, and should be kept American.
Step 1: Observe
1. According to the author, what is the mission of America?
2. How does the author feel about diversity?
3. What is the purpose of the Ku Klux Klan?
Step 2: Reflect
4. Who is the author? What gives him the authority to speak on the Ku Klux Klan?
5. In one sentence, what was the Ku Klux Klan most concerned about in the 1920s?
“The Shape of Fear” by W.E.B. DuBois, Writer of the Harlem Renaissance (1926)
Until last year I was of those mildly amused at the K.K.K. It seemed to me incredible that in 1925 such a movement could attract any number of people or become really serious. And then at first hand and at second I saw the Klan and its workings in widely different places.
I was lecturing in Akron, Ohio. I looked for sanity in the United States to come from a democratic appeal to the Middle West. And yet, there in Akron, in the land of Joshua R. Giddings [anti-slavery Ohio Representative 1838-1859…I found the Klan calmly and openly in the saddle. The leader of the local Klan was president of the Board of Education…The Mayor, the secretary of the Y.M.C.A., prominent men in many walks of life, were either open Klansmen or secret sympathizers. I was too astonished to talk. Throughout parts of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana I found a similar state of affairs. . . .
What is the cause of all this? There can be little doubt but that the Klan in its present form is a legacy of the World War. The civilized world today and the world half-civilized and uncivilized are desperately afraid. The Shape of Fear looms over them. Germany fears the Jew…America fears the Negro…Protestant fears Catholic, Religion fears Science…it feels it necessary to be nervous because the Unexpected has happened.
Step 1: Observe
1. What surprised DuBois about Ohio?
2. According to DuBois, why is there a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s?
Step 2: Reflect
3. Were all white Americans supportive of the Ku Klux Klan? Why or why not?
4. What is the Ku Klux Klan trying to preserve?
5. What real-life events are reflected in DuBois’s passage?