Berman James Watts, September 1997
If only the Nazi's could have been destroyed as a political force in the 1920's.... but what could so thoroughly discredit so popular a movement? In America the Ku Klux Klan was also a political force so potent it influenced national elections and dominated Northern Statehouses. Scapegoating a minority with propaganda delivered by the latest technology was exploited in both Nations. The Klan openly paraded in the National and State Capitols. Through some Black communities they paraded with their revolvers raised.
The romantic rationalizing myth of the white Knights of the Klan riding to the rescue of white womanhood and southern "civilization from the embrace of the animalistic Negro was popularized. "Birth of a Nation" provoked riots as it spurred Klan recruitment. The more refined "Gone with The Wind" rationalized racial subjugation by violence as not only necessary but as fundamental to a fervently desired "lost cause" and way of life. But the Klan fell from popular grace in America while the Nazi's went on to conquer Germany and (briefly) Europe.
Madge Oberholtzer's encounter with Klan Indiana political boss David C. Stephenson, perhaps ended the Klan's political ascent. After an initial date, Stephenson's further interest resulted in a voluntary visit that turned into kidnapping and forced drinking. That was followed by her being undressed, attacked and "chewed all over her body". She poisoned herself and subsequently died. Convicted and jailed, Stephenson released his confidential files showing the extent of Klan corruption when his political cronies failed to fix the trial or gain him a pardon. A score of Republicans went to jail, judges were impeached and other major political figures exposed. The Klan's claims of moral and religious motivation was made so transparently a deceit as to cut it's membership from millions to several hundred thousands between 1924 and 1928.
Then as today those who readily scapegoat minorities are easier prey to manipulation by demagogues. As John L. Mecklin stated prior to the Klan's peak ascendance:
"The Klan is essentially a defense mechanism against evils that are more often imaginary than real."
The conservative agenda today, with respect to minority scapegoating,well meets such criteria. Alleged "religious political movements" offer ample camouflage to amoral racist demagogues.