What was a common tactic employed by the Ku Klux Klan to achieve its goals?

The Ku Klux Klan primarily utilized violence and intimidation against minorities to carry out its objectives. Founded during the Reconstruction era, the organization aimed to restore white supremacy and undermine the social, political, and economic advancements made by African Americans following the Civil War. This involved threats, physical assaults, and even murders, aimed at instilling fear in communities that sought to exercise their rights or challenge the status quo. Such acts of terror served both to reinforce racial hierarchies and to discourage individuals from pursuing civil rights or participating in political processes, particularly in the southern United States.

By leveraging fear and violence, the Klan was able to exert significant influence over local and state politics, thereby enforcing racial segregation and disenfranchisement. This tactic was highly effective at a time when the federal government was either unwilling or unable to intervene decisively to protect the rights of African Americans. The Klan's reliance on such brutal methods starkly contrasted with more constructive approaches, such as public discourse or political campaigning, which would not have aligned with its goals of promoting white supremacy.