White Supremacy: The KKK upheld the idea that white individuals should be dominant over other races. They propagated the belief that white people are inherently superior to other groups.
Racism: KKK members held racially motivated beliefs and prejudices, considering other races, especially African Americans, as inferior. They aimed to maintain the "racial purity" of the white race and advocated for racial segregation.
Intimidation and Violence: KKK members often used fear and violence as tactics to terrorize non-white individuals and maintain control. Night rides, lynching, and acts of violence were committed against Blacks, and other minority groups to keep them suppressed and in fear.
Segregation: The KKK supported the separation of white and non-white communities through residential segregation, social institutions, and public spaces. They opposed desegregation efforts and integration movements, aiming to uphold racial divisions.
Anti-Catholicism: In some instances, particularly during the late 19th century, the KKK targeted Catholics and immigrants from European Catholic countries, viewing them as a threat to their Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture.
Historical Origin and Evolution: The first KKK emerged during the Reconstruction era in the United States after the Civil War. Its activities declined in the early 20th century but the organization saw revivals with different iterations and local groups in subsequent years.
It is crucial to note that the goals and ideologies of the KKK have been highly controversial, and modern society widely condemns their beliefs and actions as discriminatory, hateful, and morally reprehensible. Efforts to combat racism, promote diversity, and foster equality have strived to counter the harmful ideologies propagated by groups like the KKK.