What motivated the formation of the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War?

The formation of the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War was primarily motivated by an intention to restore white supremacy. Following the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, the United States experienced significant social change, particularly with the inclusion of African Americans as citizens with legal rights, including the right to vote. The Klan emerged as a reactionary force against these changes, aiming to reassert white dominance and undermine the progress made by African Americans. By using intimidation, violence, and terror, the Klan sought to suppress Black political participation and maintain the pre-war social order that favored white supremacy.

This context highlights the stark contrast with other motives. Supporting Reconstruction policies or advocating for equal rights directly contradicts the Klan's goals. Their focus was not on advancing rights for African Americans but rather on reversing the advancements made during the Reconstruction. The notion of reuniting the Union was more about political and social stability rather than the Klan's discriminatory ideology, which inherently prioritized white supremacy over unity based on equality.