U.S History

An Analysis of "The Klan 's Fight for Americanism

by Hiram W . Evans

Custom Research by Essay An Analysis of "The Klan 's Fight for Americanism

by Hiram W . Evans

Abstract

In 1926 , Hiram Wesley Evans , then Imperial Wizard and Emperor of the Ku Klux Klan , published The Klan 's Fight for Americanism , a leaflet that set forth the principles and fundamentals of what many called the revival of the KKK in 1920 's America , a new version of the organization that was originally formed by Nathan Bedford Forrest after the

Civil War in an effort to maintain the supremacy of the white man over the recently freed African-American slaves

The researcher will analyze and discuss Evans ' writing in this from the standpoint of his views and specific tenets to be found within The Klan 's Fight for Americanism . In addition , the researcher will present views as to whether or not Evans ' views agree with those of the researcher , and ultimately , a response to Evans ' view will be presented Upon the conclusion of this , the reader will have a thorough understanding of Evans ' work as well as some possible alternative viewpoints on it

A Brief Overview of The Klan 's Fight for Americanism

In to fully understand the various elements of Evans ' writing and to adequately interpret it , a brief overview of the work itself is in

The previously mentioned revival of the KKK in the early 1920 's came in response to what the group called the infestation by aliens ' of America in the years immediately following World War I . As a result of the KKK 's revival , by 1926 , the organization had over 3 million members The KKK increased its list of those whom it hated to include Jews Catholics , Communists , and those who were members of the labor unions that were gaining popularity in America during that time . Hiram W Evans , upon assuming control of the KKK in 1926 , wrote The Klan 's Fight for Americanism ' as a means to lay the groundwork for what would be a new expansion of the Ku Klux Klan in the 20th century

Americanism as Defined by Evans

One of the key terms that Evans uses in his writing is the term Americanism , something that he claims is a hallmark of the KKK . The term Americanism in this context has its roots in patriotism , something that the KKK claims to have in abundance however , the interpretation of patriotism that the KKK has varied greatly from what one would usually find in the belief systems of someone like Abraham Lincoln , for example Patriotism , as the cornerstone of Americanism , in this case has some far reaching implications . First , consider the KKK 's definition of the American ideal within Americanism , which will first be presented by use of an actual quote from Evans ' work

Americanism , to the Klansman , is a thing of the spirit , a purpose and a point of view , that can only come through instinctive racial understanding...