Problem
The initiation oath of the Knights of the White Camelia reveals the appeal of such organizations. The Knights originated during the early days of the Klan in the late 1860's. Note the claims of religious faith and patriotism and the chivalric mandate: to protest the weak and defenseless against the outrages of "lawless" blacks. Aside from the reassertion of crude white supremacy, the KKK must have been very popular for its sense of mystery, pageantry, and special rituals; individuals were made to feel that they belonged to something splendid and grand.
Task
i. What were the stated beliefs of the Knights of the White Camelia?
ii. What were the goals of the Knights of the White Camelia?
iii. Based on your analysis of the document, was the KKK best characterized as a political organization, a terrorist organization, or something else entirely?
iv. What have been the long term affects of this organization and their ideology?