I'm a Real Boy: How the Ku Klux Klan Defined Manhood and Masculinity in Tillamook, Oregon (1915-1930)
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Date
2019
Authors
McWhirter, Marielena Rose
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan gained and exerted significant power in the United States between 1915 and 1930. One reason for the Klan’s success was its resistance to the sociopolitical and ethno-cultural changes occurring during the Progressive Era. During its rise in power, the Klan became heavily involved in the political and social life of the State of Oregon. This thesis asks how the Klan defined manhood, and how this definition was used to influence, recruit, and control Klansmen with the goal of gaining support for the Klan’s white supremacist agenda. In this thesis, I review national and local Klan propaganda, documents, and personal correspondence. These sources show how the Klan defined and used ideas of manhood to gain support for the Klan’s political and social agenda. Review and analysis of documents reveals that ideas of manhood centered on the primary themes of morality, Americanism, and fraternity. These Klan writings reveal that ideas of manhood were synonymous with control. In order to have “manhood,” as defined by the Klan between 1915 and 1930, a man had to be a white, Protestant, gentile, native-born citizen of the United States who had control of himself, his community, and society, and as such was worthy of membership in the Klan. Keywords: Ku Klux Klan, Tillamook, Oregon, Manhood, Morality, Americanism, Fraternity, Progressive Era
Description
79 pages
Keywords
Political Science, Manhood, Ku Klux Klan, Morality, Americanism, Fraternity