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Title: Hatred and Profits: Under the Hood of the Ku Klux Klan

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2012

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Abstract: The Ku Klux Klan reached its heyday in the mid-1920s, claiming millions of members.In this paper, we analyze the 1920s Klan, those who joined it, and its social and political impact.We utilize a wide range of archival data sources including information from Klan membershiproles, applications, robe-order forms, an internal audit of the Klan by Ernst and Ernst, and acensus that the Klan conducted after an internal scandal. Combining these sources with data fromthe 1920 and 1930 U.S. Censuses, we find that individuals who joined the Klan in some citieswere better educated and more likely to hold professional jobs than the typical American.Surprisingly, we find few tangible social or political impacts of the Klan. There is little evidencethat the Klan had an effect on black or foreign born residential mobility, or on lynching patterns.While historians have argued that the Klan was successful in getting candidates they favoredelected, statistical analysis suggests that any direct impact of the Klan was likely small. The Klanwas enormously successful, however, in generating revenue for its leadership through initiationfees, dues, and sales of robes and other goods to its members. Based on these facts, we argue that, rather than a terrorist organization, the 1920s Klan is best described as a social organization with a wildly successful multi-level marketing structure fueled by an army of highly-incentivizedsales agents selling hatred, religious intolerance, and fraternity in a time and place where there was tremendous demand.

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Authors: Fryer, Roland G.; Levitt, Steven D.

Publisher: Harvard University

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Other

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