The Ku Klux Klan

"The Ku Klux Klan" by Annie Cooper Burton is a historical narrative that examines the rise and functions of the Ku Klux Klan following the Civil War. The story describes the Klan's evolution from a social club in 1866 to a group dedicated to maintaining order in the South by any means necessary. It shares insight into the Klan through the lens of its leaders, especially Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the ideals they fought for. Burton’s account details the Klan’s methods of influence, emphasizing their goal of a moral society as they saw it, all while covering the group's hierarchy, rituals, and the obligations of its members. The book frames the Klan's actions as essential to the period, intending to shift public perception of the order to one of a noble organization.