The Ku Klux Klan was formed by Confederate Army veterans in Tennessee after the Civil War to intimidate blacks and their allies using robes and sheets to hide their identities. Between 1869-1871, the Klan's goal was to destroy Reconstruction through violence, murdering blacks and some whites involved in politics or black education. They burned churches, schools, and drove people from their homes until Congress passed a law in 1871 giving the federal government power to prosecute the Klan and break up their activities.

1. Ku Klux Klan

3. The Ku Klux Klan was formed as a social club by a group of Confederate Army veterans in Tennessee in 1865 The group adopted the name Ku Klux Klan from the Greek word "kyklos," meaning circle, and the English word clan. The Klan was the "Invisible Empire of the South"

4. Robes The Klan dressed in robes and sheets to : prevent identification to frighten blacks The Klan was a terrorist organization

6. The Klan was a terrorist organization

7. Between 1869 and 1871 its goal was to destroy Congressional Reconstruction by murdering blacks -- and some whites -- who were either active in politics or educating black children

8. The Klan burned churches and schools and drove thousands of people out of their homes. Because local law enforcement officials were unable or unwilling to stop the Klan, Congress passed the Force Bill in 1871, giving the federal government the power to prosecute the Klan.

9. Dedicated prosecutors managed to win convictions and break up Klan activity. Although relatively few people were punished, federal action did put an end to most Klan activities.

10. The Klan burned crosses, tortured and murdered those whom they opposed

12. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/narrative_butterfield.html