The Second Coming of the KKK: The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s and the American Political Tradition

The Second Coming of the KKK examines the revival and rapid expansion of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s, when membership reached into the millions across the United States. This historical analysis focuses on how the organization transformed from its Reconstruction-era roots into a mainstream movement that attracted middle-class white Protestants. Linda Gordon documents the Klan's evolution into a national political force that influenced elections, shaped policy, and established deep connections with Protestant churches and civic organizations. The book details the group's recruitment methods, internal structure, and the ways it built power through local chapters and social networks. Gordon's research draws on primary sources including Klan newspapers, meeting minutes, and membership records to reconstruct the organization's rise in the early twentieth century. The narrative tracks how the group expanded its targets beyond African Americans to include Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and others deemed threats to "100 percent Americanism." The book reveals patterns in American political movements, exploring how extremist ideologies can gain acceptance through the exploitation of social anxieties and claims of moral authority. Its examination of the 1920s Klan provides context for understanding the persistence of white nationalism and religious intolerance in American society.

Readers note the book provides extensive research and documentation about how the 1920s KKK gained mainstream acceptance through marketing, political influence, and social networking. Many appreciate Gordon's analysis of the Klan's appeal to middle-class white Protestants and connections to current political movements. Likes: - Clear writing style and academic rigor - Focus on lesser-known aspects like women's involvement - Links between 1920s KKK tactics and modern extremist groups Dislikes: - Some readers found the writing dry and academic - Several noted redundant passages and repetitive points - Critics say modern political comparisons feel forced Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (572 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (164 ratings) Sample review: "Thoroughly researched but could have been edited down. The parallels to today's political climate are chilling, though sometimes overstated." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "Strong on historical detail but weak on narrative flow. Gets bogged down in academic analysis." - Amazon reviewer

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📖 The KKK of the 1920s was remarkably different from its post-Civil War predecessor, focusing less on racial terrorism in the South and more on nationwide political influence, targeting Catholics, Jews, and immigrants alongside African Americans. 🎓 Author Linda Gordon is a distinguished professor at New York University and has won multiple prestigious awards, including the Bancroft Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. 👥 At its peak in 1924, the second incarnation of the KKK claimed 4-5 million members, with particularly strong presence in states like Indiana, Oregon, and Maine. 🗳️ The 1920s Klan successfully influenced electoral politics, helping elect multiple governors and senators, and even played a significant role in the 1924 Democratic National Convention. 📢 The organization used modern marketing techniques, including commissioned salespeople called "Kleagles," who earned a commission for each new member they recruited, helping create what was essentially a nationwide pyramid scheme.