Why did 10% of white Americans join the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, and how did President Harry Truman become a secret member? Dr. Kristofer Allerfeldt, University of Exeter historian and author of The Full History of the Ku Klux Klan, reveals shocking truths about America's most notorious hate group, from its 1865 founding to its decline in the digital age.

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You’ll Learn:

–Why the 1920s Ku Klux Klan attracted 4-5 million members and operated like a mass fraternity, not a fringe terror group

–How President Harry Truman joined the KKK for 3-4 years in the 1920s and what his membership reveals about American politics

–The truth about why the Klan uniform became so sinister—it wasn't about intimidation, it was about profit

–How the 1915 film Birth of a Nation resurrected the Klan and turned it into America's first pyramid scheme

–Why the Klan's anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant agenda in the 1920s mirrors modern political scapegoating tactics

–The FBI's dirty tricks campaign (COINTELPRO) that finally destroyed Klan power in the 1960s

–How social media could be weaponized to prevent white supremacist movements from ever gaining power again

–What receiving a death threat from a Klansman taught Dr. Allerfeldt about researching America's darkest history

00:00 The Persistence of Hate: Understanding the KKK

08:10 The Origins and Evolution of the KKK

16:07 The KKK's Influence and Political Ambitions

23:52 Violence and Atrocities: The Dark Side of the KKK

31:30 Cultural Impact: Birth of a Nation and the KKK's Revival

39:39 The KKK's Legacy and Modern Implications

52:41 Patriotism and Immigration Perspectives

53:46 The Challenges of Publishing and Cultural Sensitivity

55:28 The KKK: Historical Context and Modern Implications

58:10 FBI Infiltration and Covert Operations Against the KKK

01:01:09 Media Representation and the KKK's Evolution

01:03:30 Civil Rights Movement and KKK Violence

01:06:00 The KKK's Modern-Day Presence and Activities

01:08:13 Future of White Supremacy and Hate Groups

01:10:43 Modern Slavery: Definitions and Implications

01:14:19 The Role of Technology in Modern Slavery

01:18:31 Exploring Dark Topics and Human Nature

01:20:29 Personal Reflections and Life Lessons

01:23:59 The Intersection of Religion and Morality

01:27:24 Final Thoughts on Life and Legacy

RESOURCES / LINKS

Dr. Kristofer Allerfeldt's Book: The Full History of the Ku Klux Klan

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ku-Klux-Klan-American-History/dp/1803990163/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 (Available on Amazon UK, NOT published in the USA)

University of Exeter Faculty Page: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/1199-kristofer-allerfeldt

Team

Chief Editor: Chloe Breheret

Chief Automation Officer: Jack McDuff

Jacob’s Work

Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385

Website: https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com