- Rise of Jim Crow laws: Post-Reconstruction, discriminatory laws and practices known as Jim Crow laws disenfranchised and segregated African Americans, fostering a climate of racial hatred.
- White Supremacy: Pervasive white supremacy beliefs among segments of society provided fertile ground for the Klan's ideology.
- Economic disparities: Poverty and economic competition between poor whites and African Americans created tensions exploited by the Klan.
- Political Power: Klan chapters often had influential members, securing political positions and protection from law enforcement.
Secrecy and Intimidation:
- Fear Tactics: The Klan's use of masks, secrecy, and violent rituals generated an atmosphere of fear and intimidated dissent.
- Lynching: Public acts of lynching, targeting African Americans, aimed to suppress civil rights efforts and reinforce racial hierarchy.
- Night Riding: Klan members would engage in night raids, harassing, and intimidating minorities and those who challenged racial norms.
Organizational Structure:
- Local Chapters: The Klan was organized into local chapters, allowing it to spread across the Southern states.
- Shared Symbolism: The use of burning crosses, robes, and other symbols united members and evoked fear.
- Recruitment: Active recruitment of new members through fear, coercion, and a sense of belonging.
Lack of Accountability:
- Failure of Law Enforcement: Corrupt or sympathetic local authorities often failed to prosecute Klan members, allowing their violence to go unpunished.
- Judicial System: African American victims found scant justice in Southern courts, further emboldening the Klan.
- Public Support: Some segments of society, including white establishment figures, expressed tolerance or even support for the Klan's actions.