this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2026
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I always hear from my family and older folks that the KKK started out by going after deadbeat dads, men who did not take care of their childeren and so on? Before all the racist crap is this true? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 months ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world
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[โ€“] SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Behind the Bastards has some great episodes on the Klan, including how it started.

Arm yourself with knowledge ๐Ÿ˜Š

[โ€“] Patnou@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I only know what was told to me in the Carolinas, MS, AL, LA AR I guess my question boils down to why did they not keeping society decent but went down the Hatred Spiral coming close to that German.

[โ€“] SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 3 months ago

Well, they actually didn't go "down the hatred spiral." They were already there - the CSA was a major inspiration for Hitler and the Nazis. If anything, the Nazis saw themselves as kinder and more humane.

The Klan was a social club for southern gentleman, many of whom happened to be former Confederate soldiers. As society changed, the Klan became a haven for those who did not want to change.